ISLAMABAD: A child and an adult were reportedly exposed to HIV last month here after infected blood and components were issued by the blood bank of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) due to alleged negligence and procedural failures.
In the first case, two components of HIV positive blood, fresh frozen plasma and platelets, were issued and transfused to a child from Azad Kashmir at PIMS when HIV status of blood bag was not entered into blood bank software. The HIV positive result was only recorded manually in a register.
“Blood bank staff realised the error after components had been issued and transfused, but treating doctors and child’s parents were not informed. Red cells from same blood bag were not transfused”, an insider, who requested anonymity, said.
In the second case, a whole blood bag was received from a private blood bank without its screening results for HIV and other infectious markers. As per routine practice, the blood bank assured the results would be shared later.
“Without waiting for reports, PIMS staff prepared three components from the blood bag and issued platelets to an adult patient during the peak of dengue season. When the screening results came back positive, the matter was hushed up and the patient and attendants were not told,” the insider further claimed.
When contacted, Dr Farwa Sijjeel, Incharge of PIMS Blood Bank, rejected allegations and said all blood products and records are properly maintained. She said every HIV positive blood bag is recorded and details are immediately shared with PIMS HIV clinic.
“A child from Azad Kashmir, who was reported HIV positive, had received blood and components that were screened negative by our Allinity analyser”, she said. “The child may have received injections or undergone dental procedures at a local clinic, so a detailed history is required before drawing any conclusion”.
She said around 100 blood products are issued daily to thalassaemia and haemophilia patients at PIMS, and all regular recipients have remained HIV negative for years. She added a proper medical inquiry is needed before making any judgment.
She said all blood products transfused at PIMS are screened and documented in patient’s medical record and can be verified at any time. She urged other possible sources of infection, including unsafe syringes, drip sets and dental or clinical procedures in the child’s native area of Azad Kashmir, should also be investigated before drawing conclusions.
More than 10,000 new HIV infections had been detected across Pakistan by end of October 2025, and specialists warn the virus is now spreading in general population through poor infection control and unsafe transfusion practices.
Published in The NEWS on November 9, 2025.
