Inquiry recommends action against Nishtar staff over SOP violations

MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd May, 2026) An inquiry into alleged violations of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the HIV screening of a patient prior to surgery at Nishtar Hospital has found eight doctors and a charge nurse guilty of misconduct and recommended disciplinary action against them under the PEEDA Act, 2006.

According to the inquiry report issued late Friday night, the accused include Dr Shahbaz Anwar, Dr Umer, Dr Sania Saeed, Dr Naeem Akhtar, Dr Fareeha, Dr Irsa Arif, Dr Ali Jan, Dr Abu Zer and staff nurse Rida Zahra.

The report stated that the patient, Muhammad Shahbaz, a resident of Chowk Kumharan Wala, underwent surgery despite his HIV screening report being awaited.

The inquiry committee was constituted by Nishtar Medical University Vice Chancellor(VC)Dr.Mehnaz Khakwani and included Dr.Lubna Azam,Dr.Riward Noor,Ms.

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Tahira Ghaffar and Dr Faiz,here on Saturday.

The VC has forwarded the committee’s recommendations to the Specialized Healthcare and Medical education Department secretary for disciplinary proceedings against the officials.

Hospital sources said the patient underwent surgery in General Operation Theater-17 on May 19 and was later confirmed HIV positive.

However, they denied social media reports claiming that 17 more patients were operated on afterwards or that any operation theater had been sealed.

Following the incident,Medical Superintendent Dr.Rao Amjad suspended all eight doctors and the nurse and ordered an immediate inquiry.

Meanwhile,Dean of Surgery,Dr .Masood Haraj in a video statement said the patient had previously undergone two surgeries with negative HIV reports and rejected allegations that he personally conducted the operation.