Call to ensure infection control protocol at all public hospitals

MULTAN: The Pakistan Society of Nephrologists has rejected measures taken by the Punjab government at Nishtar Hospital and demanded the authorities ensure infection control protocol at all public hospitals across the country.

A meeting of the executive committee of senior Nephrologists of Pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN), including former presidents and general secretaries, was held under the leadership of the president-elect Prof Dr Ghulam Nabi to address the recent HIV outbreak in the dialysis unit of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. The participants expressed concerns over welfare and safety of all dialysis patients infected and emphasised the urgent need for strict adherence to infection control protocols across hemodialysis units in Pakistan. The members noted that HIV transmission in dialysis units was highly unlikely if standard disinfection protocols were followed, given that reusing dialyzers and needle-sharing practices had been abandoned.

HIV transmission was much less likely in dialysis units compared with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C transmission, they added. The committee called for a thorough root cause analysis to determine the factors behind the outbreak. The committee members also expressed concerns over the suspension of senior faculty members at Nishtar Hospital without an independent epidemiological investigation and due process.

They recommended a detailed investigation by an independent high-level scientific committee composed of an epidemiologist, infection control and infectious disease specialist, a senior nephrologist from another province and an infection control nurse to ensure transparency and fairness. Furthermore, the members said that without due process of law, adhoc criminal proceedings against the senior nephrology faculty were completely unjustified. Interrogation and intimidation by police officials was not acceptable as appropriate forum for such investigation should include the Punjab Healthcare Commission and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the nephrologists told in the meeting. The committee urged a nationwide review of infection control protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.

They strongly urged the Health Department to release the findings report of the local committee so that they can assist and guide on a better course of action to prevent similar occurrences in the future. They told that dialysis patients at Nishtar Hospital had been left totally vulnerable in view of suspension of all senior Nephrology faculty members.