A government hospital in Taunsa has come under scrutiny after an investigation by BBC Eye alleged continued unsafe medical practices, including the reuse of syringes on children, even after an HIV outbreak triggered official action.
According to the investigation, THQ Hospital Taunsa reportedly remained involved in serious violations of infection control standards months after Punjab health authorities launched a crackdown in response to a surge in HIV cases among children.
Undercover footage cited in the report showed disturbing practices inside the hospital’s children’s ward, including reused syringes, contaminated medicine vials, injections administered through clothing, exposed needles, and untrained individuals assisting in procedures without supervision.
The investigation also linked these practices to a wider HIV outbreak in Taunsa, where at least 331 children were reportedly diagnosed with HIV between November 2024 and October 2025. Health screenings reportedly found very few infected parents, raising concerns about iatrogenic transmission through unsafe medical procedures.
Earlier, health authorities had acknowledged over 100 pediatric infections and suspended the hospital’s medical superintendent in March 2025. However, the report claims that unsafe practices continued even after these interventions.
Medical experts reviewing the footage described the practices as highly dangerous, noting that reusing syringes and contaminated equipment can rapidly spread blood-borne infections such as HIV, particularly when shared vials are used across patients.
The investigation further highlighted broader systemic issues at the hospital, including poor waste disposal, inadequate sterilization practices, medicine shortages, and overreliance on injectable treatments where safer alternatives may exist.
Hospital officials have denied the allegations, with the current medical superintendent questioning the authenticity of the footage and insisting that infection control protocols are being followed. Local authorities have also stated that there is no conclusive evidence confirming the hospital as the definitive source of the outbreak.
Despite official claims, the report warns that new pediatric HIV cases continue to emerge in Taunsa, suggesting the outbreak may still be ongoing.
