Syringe Reuse Continues at Tunisa Tehsil Hospital, Endangering Children

A BBC Urdu investigation said syringes are being reused in the children’s ward of Tunisa Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, risking HIV infection. The report, published in April 2026, documents the practice more than a year after a 2025 outbreak linked to the same facility ^[1]. Observers said the findings highlight a lapse in basic infection‑control standards.

The continued reuse of injection equipment endangers the health of vulnerable children, threatens public confidence in the public health system, and could reignite a disease outbreak that previously devastated the community. Children are especially susceptible because their immune systems are still developing, and an HIV infection can affect their growth, education and future prospects.

In 2025, health officials said a surge in pediatric HIV cases was traced to unsafe injection practices at the Tunisa Tehsil hospital ^[1]. The outbreak sickened dozens of children and the provincial health ministry said it announced an emergency response, including a temporary shutdown of the ward and a promise that it would replace all single‑use supplies. However, follow‑up monitoring was limited and no comprehensive audit was made public.

The BBC team said that disposable syringes were collected, sterilized with unverified methods, and then used again on multiple patients in the ward. Staff members were seen sharing single‑use kits across beds, a violation of standard infection‑control protocols. Photographs taken by the investigators show syringes stacked in a single container, suggesting systematic reuse rather than isolated incidents.

Hospital records said that the ward’s supply budget had not been replenished, forcing nurses to reuse equipment. Interviews with senior nurses said that they were instructed to “make do” with existing stock, a directive that persisted despite earlier warnings. The lack of funding, combined with inadequate oversight, created an environment where unsafe practices could continue unchecked.

Hospital administrators said they are conducting an internal audit and have ordered new syringe stocks. The district health authority said it will dispatch a supervisory team next week to enforce compliance ^[1]. Officials said they would train staff on proper disposal procedures, though no timeline has been provided for the rollout of new supplies.

Children admitted to the ward remain at risk of contracting HIV, a lifelong condition that requires costly treatment and carries social stigma. Families of affected patients have expressed fear and anger, demanding accountability from the health system. Local NGOs have begun campaigning for independent investigations and for the establishment of a patient compensation fund.

If the reuse of syringes continues, the region could see a resurgence of HIV cases, overwhelming already strained health resources and eroding trust in government hospitals. Public health experts said such negligence can reverse years of progress made in controlling HIV transmission in Pakistan.

**What this means** The reuse of single‑use syringes in a children’s ward signals systemic failures in supply chain management and oversight that could spark a wider health crisis. Immediate corrective actions, transparent audits, and sustained funding are essential to protect vulnerable patients and restore confidence in Pakistan’s public health infrastructure.