Hospitals biggest source of deadly infections including Hepatitis B&C, HIV in Pakistan: experts

ISLAMABAD: Hospitals are some of the riskiest places to visit, as recent research shows they are the biggest source of Hepatitis B, C, and HIV infections in Pakistan, warned Professor Shahzad Ali Khan, Vice Chancellor of Health Services Academy (HSA), on World Patient Safety Day.

“Our recent survey has revealed that clinics and healthcare establishments are the biggest source of deadly viral infections, including Hepatitis B&C and HIV, in Pakistan. The more you stay away from the hospital, the safer and healthier you are,” he said while speaking at a special event organised by the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration in collaboration with WHO, HSA, and the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) on Thursday.

Prof. Khan emphasised that the very institutions tasked with saving lives are often putting them at risk.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, fewer people died in Pakistan during the first wave when there was a lockdown compared to the previous year when there was no lockdown and people were regularly visiting hospitals. This fact alone highlights that hospitals can spread deadly infections. Covid-19 has taught us that hospitals are dangerous places to visit,” he remarked.

The latest survey conducted by the Health Services Academy revealed that hospitals and clinics are the leading contributors to the spread of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV in Pakistan. The reuse of syringes and non-sterilised medical equipment, especially in lower-tier healthcare establishments, are the main culprits.

Prof. Khan highlighted the infamous case of the HIV outbreak in Ratodero, Sindh, where a quack doctor reused syringes and IV drips, infecting hundreds, including children.

“Our healthcare system is killing more people than it is saving,” he warned, calling for urgent reforms and stronger enforcement of safety regulations in hospitals and clinics.

Prof. Khan also addressed the broader issue of life expectancy, noting that while life expectancy has doubled over the last century globally, the improvements have largely been due to better child healthcare and reductions in infant mortality. “The lives of adults, particularly in countries like Pakistan, have not improved at the same pace. People are still dying from preventable diseases due to unsafe medical practices,” he said.

Rabia Aurangzeb, Director of ICT Administration and Commissioner of Social Security Islamabad, echoed Prof. Khan’s concerns, adding that effective regulation is essential for improving patient safety. She lauded the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) and its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Quaid Saeed, for their efforts in ensuring safety standards in healthcare facilities across Islamabad.

Dr. Quaid Saeed, CEO of Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA), highlighted the vital role of regulators in ensuring patient safety. “Regulators have a crucial role in implementing patient safety measures in healthcare settings,” he explained, drawing a comparison between healthcare and the aviation industry, where every professional, from pilots to ground staff, is highly qualified, trained, and regulated.

“Similarly, the healthcare sector must ensure that its infrastructure and human resources are up to standard and strictly follow safety guidelines,” Dr. Saeed emphasised.

IHRA, he said, has been actively regulating and improving the quality of healthcare in Islamabad for the past three years. The authority has implemented patient safety standards that have led to significant improvements in healthcare quality and the services provided to the public.

The healthcare authority has also been at the forefront of combating quackery in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), regularly taking punitive actions against malpractice and negligence in healthcare settings. Dr. Saeed pointed out that complaints against quacks and unauthorised practitioners are being handled judiciously, and action is taken to ensure the safety of patients.

In her closing remarks, Rabia Aurangzeb highlighted that the World Patient Safety Day theme for 2024, “Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety,” aims to minimise diagnostic errors and improve patient outcomes. “Today, we unite to emphasise the importance of diagnostic safety and strive to make healthcare safer for all,” she concluded.

Dean of Allied Health Sciences and Patient Safety at HSA, Dr. Mati Ur Rehman, called for greater awareness regarding patient safety, saying that people should be informed about the potential risks in healthcare facilities and that they could become sicker in places where patient safety is not ensured.

The event was part of global celebrations for World Patient Safety Day, with a special focus on improving healthcare standards in Pakistan to protect patients from preventable harm.