Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Reused Syringes Infect Over 330 Children in Pakistan With HIV: Report

In an alarming incident, more than 330 children in <span>Pakistan</span> have contracted HIV due to reuse of syringes in a hospital in Pakistan’s Punjab, according to a report. 

The report, based on an undercover investigation by <span>BBC News</span>, highlighted blatant infection control failures and unsafe medical practices at <span>THQ Hospital</span> Taunsa in Pakistan.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/glp-1-receptor-agonist-glp-1-drugs-why-not-everyone-taking-ozempic-may-have-lower-blood-sugar-levels-article-154080825" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"> GLP-1 Drugs: Why Not Everyone Taking Ozempic May Have Lower Blood Sugar Levels</a> 

The failures captured on camera, filmed over 32 hours inside <span>THQ Taunsa Hospital</span> in late 2025, showcase persistent unsafe practices, including the reuse of syringes on multi-dose vials, that have infected more than 330 children with HIV since late 2024. 

The footage captured multiple violations of basic hygiene protocols, including the staff reusing syringes on multi-dose medicine vials, which increases the risk of contaminating entire batches of medication. In several instances, the same vial was then used to treat different children, the report said. 

Other scenes captured included poor sanitation conditions, such as open vials, used needles left on countertops, and improper disposal of medical waste; staff administering injections without sterile gloves, further increasing the risk of cross-contamination. 

<h2>Pakistan <span rel="noindex">HIV Cases</span>: Previous Outbreak In Southern Sindh</h2>

The incident in Taunsa is not the first. In 2019, media reports cited nearly 1,000 children testing positive for HIV due to the reuse of needles in southern Sindh province. 

“Pakistan has experienced a series of HIV outbreaks over the past two decades, but we’ve never before seen this many young children infected or so many health facilities involved," Dr Fatima Mir from the Aga Khan University in Pakistan, told The Guardian. She was the lead author of the paper published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases, which also reported the cases.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/nafld-to-masld-experts-explain-why-this-common-yet-dangerous-liver-condition-got-renamed-article-154077542" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">NAFLD to MASLD: Experts Explain Why This Common Yet Dangerous Liver Condition Got Renamed</a>

“Use of syringes and needles is widespread, and Pakistan has one of the highest rates of unsafe injections in the world. Health practitioners need to use intravenous treatment only when necessary, use needles only once, and screen blood for infections before using it for transfusions,” she added.

<h2>The India Case: Thalassemic Children Infected With HIV</h2>

In 2025, a dozen children undergoing blood transfusions for thalassemia contracted HIV in two different incidents in India's Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, highlighting “systemic lapses in blood bank regulations”.

At least six children were found HIV positive at Satna district hospital in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly due to contaminated blood transfusions at the district hospital during treatment for thalassemia. 

The children affected include five boys aged under 11 and a nine-year-old girl who have been undergoing blood transfusions at the hospital. 

Another six children with thalassemia reportedly contracted HIV from contaminated blood transfusions at a government hospital in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.

<h2>Safe Injection Practices: What Is Recommended</h2>

The World Health Organization (WHO) mandates the use of single-use, safety-engineered syringes—specifically auto-disable (AD) or reuse-prevention (RUP) devices—to prevent disease transmission and needle-stick injuries. 

These devices automatically lock or break after one use and are essential for immunization and medication administration. 

The US CDC recommends using single-dose vials whenever possible, over multiple-dose vials, especially when medications will be administered to multiple patients.

Do not administer medications from a syringe to multiple patients, even if the needle or cannula on the syringe is changed.

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In an alarming incident, more than 330 children in Pakistan have contracted HIV due to reuse of syringes in a hospital in Pakistan’s Punjab, according to a report. The report, based on an undercover investigation by BBC News, highlighted blatant infection control failures and unsafe medical practices at THQ Hospital Taunsa in Pakistan.Also Read: GLP-1 Drugs: Why Not Everyone Taking Ozempic May Have Lower Blood Sugar Levels The failures captured on camera, filmed over 32 hours inside THQ Taunsa Hospital in late 2025, showcase persistent unsafe practices, including the reuse of syringes on multi-dose vials, that have infected more than 330 children with HIV since late 2024.  The footage captured multiple violations of basic hygiene protocols, including the staff reusing syringes on multi-dose medicine vials, which increases the risk of contaminating entire batches of medication. In several instances, the same vial was then used to treat different children, the report said.  Other scenes captured included poor sanitation conditions, such as open vials, used needles left on countertops, and improper disposal of medical waste; staff administering injections without sterile gloves, further increasing the risk of cross-contamination. Pakistan HIV Cases: Previous Outbreak In Southern Sindh The incident in Taunsa is not the first. In 2019, media reports cited nearly 1,000 children testing positive for HIV due to the reuse of needles in southern Sindh province.  “Pakistan has experienced a series of HIV outbreaks over the past two decades, but we’ve never before seen this many young children infected or so many health facilities involved," Dr Fatima Mir from the Aga Khan University in Pakistan, told The Guardian. She was the lead author of the paper published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases, which also reported the cases.Also Read: NAFLD to MASLD: Experts Explain Why This Common Yet Dangerous Liver Condition Got Renamed  “Use of syringes and needles is widespread, and Pakistan has one of the highest rates of unsafe injections in the world. Health practitioners need to use intravenous treatment only when necessary, use needles only once, and screen blood for infections before using it for transfusions,” she added. The India Case: Thalassemic Children Infected With HIVIn 2025, a dozen children undergoing blood transfusions for thalassemia contracted HIV in two different incidents in India's Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, highlighting “systemic lapses in blood bank regulations”.At least six children were found HIV positive at Satna district hospital in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly due to contaminated blood transfusions at the district hospital during treatment for thalassemia. The children affected include five boys aged under 11 and a nine-year-old girl who have been undergoing blood transfusions at the hospital. Another six children with thalassemia reportedly contracted HIV from contaminated blood transfusions at a government hospital in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.Safe Injection Practices: What Is RecommendedThe World Health Organization (WHO) mandates the use of single-use, safety-engineered syringes—specifically auto-disable (AD) or reuse-prevention (RUP) devices—to prevent disease transmission and needle-stick injuries. These devices automatically lock or break after one use and are essential for immunization and medication administration.  The US CDC recommends using single-dose vials whenever possible, over multiple-dose vials, especially when medications will be administered to multiple patients.Do not administer medications from a syringe to multiple patients, even if the needle or cannula on the syringe is changed.