Hospital at Centre of Child HIV Outbreak Caught Reusing Syringes in Undercover Filming

A BBC Eye investigation has uncovered serious medical malpractice at the THQ Taunsa hospital in Punjab, Pakistan, previously associated with an outbreak of HIV among children. This investigation discovered that staff were reusing contaminated syringes, a practice that poses a grave risk to patient health.

Eleven-year-old Asma and her late brother Mohammed Amin, who died after contracting HIV, exemplify the tragedy of this situation. Despite their mother testing negative for the virus, Asma and her brother are part of a troubling rise in child HIV cases in the area. Over 331 children have been diagnosed with HIV between November 2024 and October 2025.

The investigation began after a local doctor linked the outbreak to unsafe practices at THQ Taunsa. In response, local authorities announced a crackdown and suspended the hospital’s medical superintendent in March 2025. However, undercover footage from late 2025 revealed that dangerous injection practices persisted.

The footage captured 10 separate instances where syringes were reused on multi-dose vials. In four instances, different children were injected from the same vial, creating an inherent risk for viral transmission. Dr. Altaf Ahmed, a leading microbiologist, indicated that the reused syringes could transmit the virus even if new needles were attached.

Infection control measures were highlighted as severely lacking, with the investigation showing that staff often administered injections without sterile gloves, despite visible reminders about safe practices in the hospital.

This is not the first HIV outbreak in Pakistan. In 2019, a similar situation occurred in Sindh, where hundreds of children became infected through inadequate medical practices. The chronic issues of cross-contamination in healthcare settings continue to manifest, with even new clusters of cases reported.

In light of the findings, the federal health minister confirmed a recent outbreak of 84 cases in Karachi was indeed linked to the reuse of contaminated syringes at local hospitals, including those earlier linked to the Taunsa facility.

Asma's family faces significant challenges as their daughter navigates life with HIV, experiencing stigmatization and isolation from peers who refuse to play with her, deeply impacting her emotional well-being.

This investigation serves as a stark reminder of the systemic failures in healthcare and the urgent need for robust infection control measures to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children.