Two Delhi-hospitals in trouble for ignoring AIDS patient needing surgery
Angered by the "blatant discrimination" faced by an AIDS patient at two government hospitals, Delhi HC lashed out at the doctors for not recording his HIV+ status and denying him treatment. The man suffered an accident last-year that injured his left leg, which needed surgery. Instead, the doctors at LNJP and Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital plastered his affected leg and gave him basic first-aid.
His leg developed blisters, stood the risk of gangrene
The man, in his appeal, said he approached Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital first where doctors abused him for not disclosing his HIV+ status and plastered his leg. Blisters appeared and his leg stood the risk of gangrene. After a fortnight, he was shifted to LNJP where doctors again plastered his leg and discharged him, completely ignoring the surgery instruction in the referral-slip.
Both hospitals violated HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017
He said both violated guidelines under HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017; he also sought reimbursement as he had to undergo surgery at a private hospital. In their defense, the hospitals said he was given proper treatment, but he wasn't satisfied. But the bench pointed out that he has had AIDS for 23 years and wrong treatment would cause him serious consequences.
'He counsels AIDS patients, why'd he not disclose his status?'
The HC noted that the appellant is a contractual counselor with DSACS, so "why would he be so foolish to not disclose his condition?" It asked the Delhi government to form a panel within 15 days for the next course of action and submit a report within three months. The panel would comprise medical superintendents of the two hospitals, NACO and health department representatives.
