Sindh Healthcare Commission Flags Infection Control Gaps at Valika Hospital After Inspection
Karachi: The Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has identified several infection prevention and medical waste management concerns during a follow-up inspection of Valika Hospital in Karachi, conducted after the recent HIV cases reported among children linked to the area.
According to an official statement issued on Friday, inspectors found that used syringe needles were being manually separated from syringes and were not placed in designated sharps disposal containers. The inspection team said hospital staff could not clearly explain how the removed needles were being discarded, raising concerns about medical waste handling practices.
Inspection Followed Recent HIV Cases
The inspection was carried out after the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run Valika Hospital came under scrutiny following reports of HIV infections among 78 children. Health screenings conducted in nearby communities also identified 120 additional HIV cases, prompting authorities to review infection control procedures.
Infection Prevention Measures Reviewed
During the visit, the SHCC noted that the hospital had established an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Committee, but several recommended safety measures had yet to be fully implemented.
The commission reported that:
- Hospital staff had not received formal IPC training.
- Written infection prevention policies and guidelines were not available during the inspection.
- Inspectors were unable to verify the operational status of the hospital’s autoclave equipment.
- Some nursing and operation theatre staff were unavailable during inspection hours, limiting the team’s ability to observe routine infection control practices.
Medical Waste Management Concerns
The inspection also found that medical waste was not consistently being separated and disposed of according to infection prevention guidelines.
Inspectors observed limited awareness among some staff regarding safe medical waste handling. In addition, the private contractor responsible for collecting and disposing of hospital waste had reportedly not received appropriate training in infection prevention procedures.
The SHCC also noted that infection control practices in the operation theatre required improvement and observed coordination challenges between hospital management and nursing staff.
Management Shows Commitment to Improvements
Despite the identified shortcomings, the commission acknowledged that the hospital’s medical superintendent and management team demonstrated a willingness to address the issues. Officials said hospital leadership appeared committed to improving compliance with healthcare standards and implementing corrective measures.
However, the report also noted that difficulties in staff cooperation and internal workplace challenges may have affected the pace of reforms.
More Improvements Still Required
While the formation of the IPC Committee was described as a positive step, the commission said several recommendations remain pending. These include the procurement of colour-coded medical waste bins, the use of auto-disable syringes, and the full implementation of infection prevention protocols.
The SHCC stated that it will submit a detailed report to the relevant authorities along with recommendations for immediate corrective action.
Earlier Inquiries Identified Additional Lapses
Earlier this week, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was informed that two separate investigations into the HIV cases had identified multiple procedural shortcomings, including failures to follow infection prevention protocols and improper handling of single-use syringes.
Officials also reported that 37 hospital officers and employees, including administrators, doctors, nurses, laboratory staff, and support personnel, were suspended and issued show-cause notices as part of the ongoing administrative proceedings.
