Pakistan HIV outbreak linked to unsafe injections

Warning: This report contains distressing content

An eight-year-old boy, Mohammed Amin, died shortly after being diagnosed with HIV, leaving his family devastated and raising serious concerns about medical safety practices in Pakistan.

According to his mother, Sughra, the child suffered intense fever and severe pain before his death. His sister, Asma, now 10, has also been diagnosed with HIV. The family believes both children contracted the virus through contaminated injections during routine treatment at a government hospital in Taunsa, located in Punjab province.

Their case is part of a wider health crisis. An investigation by BBC Eye identified 331 children in Taunsa who tested positive for HIV between November 2024 and October 2025.

Unsafe medical practices exposed

Concerns about the outbreak first emerged in late 2024 when a private doctor noticed an unusual rise in HIV cases among children who had received treatment at THQ Taunsa Hospital. Authorities responded by suspending the hospital’s medical superintendent in March 2025 and promising strict action.

However, undercover footage recorded months later revealed that unsafe practices were still ongoing. Over 32 hours of filming, investigators documented repeated reuse of syringes on multi-dose medication vials—an action that can contaminate medicine and spread infections.

In several instances, the same vial was used to treat multiple children after being exposed to reused syringes. Experts warn that even replacing the needle does not eliminate risk, as the syringe body itself can carry viruses.

Medical staff were also seen administering injections without gloves, mishandling medical waste, and failing to follow basic hygiene protocols.

Officials deny responsibility

Despite the evidence, the hospital’s current administrator rejected the findings, suggesting the footage might be outdated or staged. He maintained that the facility remains safe for patients.

Local authorities have also stated that there is no definitive proof linking the outbreak directly to the hospital. Instead, they pointed to other possible causes, including unsafe practices in private clinics and untested blood transfusions.

Yet, a leaked inspection report from a joint mission involving World Health Organization and UNICEF described serious lapses in infection control at the same hospital. These included reused IV equipment, poor hygiene, and lack of essential medicines.

Systemic challenges in healthcare

Health experts say the issue reflects deeper systemic problems. Pakistan has one of the highest rates of medical injections globally, many of which are unnecessary. Patients often demand injections, and doctors comply, increasing pressure on limited medical supplies.

Shortages of equipment and strict resource limits in public hospitals can lead to dangerous shortcuts, such as reusing syringes or improperly storing medications.

Similar outbreaks have occurred in the past, including one in 2019 in Ratodero, where hundreds of children were infected under comparable circumstances.

Human impact and ongoing risks

The consequences for affected families are severe. Children diagnosed with HIV face lifelong treatment, along with social stigma that often leads to isolation.

Asma, who lost her brother, now lives with the virus herself. Her family says she has become withdrawn as other children avoid her. Despite this, she continues to attend school and hopes to become a doctor in the future.

Her story highlights both the human cost of medical negligence and the urgent need for stronger healthcare safeguards.