Mohammed Amin was eight when he died shortly after testing positive for HIV. His mother says his fevers were so bad that he insisted on sleeping in the rain, and he writhed in pain “like he’d been thrown in hot oil.” Not long after, his sister Asma was also diagnosed with HIV. Their family believe both children contracted it from injections with contaminated needles during routine treatment at THQ Taunsa hospital in Punjab.
They are among 331 children identified by BBC Eye as testing positive for HIV in Taunsa between November 2024 and October 2025. After a doctor linked the outbreak to the hospital, authorities promised a “massive crackdown” and suspended the medical superintendent, but BBC Eye found that dangerous injection practices continued months later.
During undercover filming, syringes were reused on multi-dose vials on multiple occasions, potentially contaminating medicine. In some cases, medicine from the same vial was given to different children. Experts warned that even with a new needle, the reused syringe body can transfer viruses.
Staff were also filmed injecting patients without sterile gloves, and unsafe practices such as handling medical waste without protection were observed. Despite this, the hospital’s new superintendent denied the footage was genuine and insisted the hospital was safe.
Data analysis showed that very few cases were caused by mother-to-child transmission. In more than half of the 331 cases, “contaminated needle” was listed as the mode of transmission.
Although officials stated there was no conclusive evidence linking the hospital to the outbreak, a leaked inspection report found unsafe injection practices, reused IV fluids, poor hygiene, and missing essential medicines—issues also captured in BBC footage.
Experts say these practices are driven by systemic pressures, including overuse of injections, shortages of supplies, and poor infection control training. Pakistan has one of the highest rates of therapeutic injections in the world, many of them unnecessary.
Similar outbreaks have occurred before, including in Ratodero in 2019, and more recently in Karachi, where children tested positive for HIV after alleged reuse of syringes.
The government says it has implemented infection control measures, but BBC Eye’s investigation shows unsafe practices persisted.
Meanwhile, children like Asma now face a lifetime of treatment. Due to stigma, she is often isolated, as other children are not allowed to play with her. Despite this, she says she studies hard and hopes to become a doctor one day.
For full report, check out the following source: Hospital at centre of child HIV outbreak caught reusing syringes in undercover filming
