Punjab, Pakistan – A recent undercover investigation by the award-winning BBC Eye team, released on 14 April 2026, has exposed catastrophic medical malpractice at Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital in Taunsa, Punjab. The documentary, titled ” Stolen Lives: Who Gave Our Children HIV?”, links unsafe injection practices at the government-run facility to a devastating outbreak that has seen at least 331 children test positive for HIV between November 2024 and October 2025.
Systemic Malpractice Caught on Camera
Despite a promised “massive crackdown” by provincial authorities in March 2025—which included the suspension of the hospital’s Medical Superintendent—BBC Eye’s 32 hours of secret filming in late 2025 revealed that life-threatening practices persisted.
- Syringe Reuse: Staff and unqualified volunteers were filmed reusing syringes on multi-dose medicine vials on at least 10 separate occasions, potentially contaminating the entire drug supply.
- Cross-Contamination: In several instances, medication from the same contaminated vial was administered to different children.
- Poor Hygiene: Footage showed medical staff injecting children through their clothing and performing procedures without sterile gloves.
A Surge in Non-Maternal Infections
The investigation highlights a chilling disparity: while 331 children tested positive, a sample of 97 affected families revealed that only four mothers were HIV-positive. This data strongly suggests that the transmission was not from mother to child but through contaminated needles in a clinical setting. At least nine children in Taunsa have already died from the disease.
Denials Amidst a Growing Crisis
Hospital leadership has disputed the findings, with the medical boss claiming the footage is “staged” or outdated. The local government has stated there is no “firm evidence” directly linking the facility to the outbreak. However, the report echoes the 2019 Ratodero scandal, reminding the public of Pakistan’s recurring struggle with unsafe medical practices that fuel infectious disease epidemics.
