Panel to probe after pregnant woman wrongly diagnosed with HIV in Solapur

She allegedly faced mental harassment, character allegations and was forced out of her home. She later underwent tests earlier this month at multiple government and private facilities, all returned negative results

The public health department has appointed a four-member committee to inquire into a complaint by a pregnant woman who alleged she was wrongly diagnosed as HIV positive at a sub-district hospital in Akluj, Solapur district, officials said on Saturday.

The four-member inquiry committee was formed on April 9. (HT FILE)

According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of Akluj, was seven months pregnant when she visited the Sub-District Hospital, Akluj, on August 16, 2024, for a routine medical examination. She underwent blood tests, including HIV testing, and was later given a report stating she was HIV positive.

She was referred to an HIV centre for further treatment and disease management. On August 17, she visited the Anti-Retroviral Therapy Centre (ARTC) in Pandharpur, where, based on the report issued at Akluj, she started treatment. Due to her pregnancy, she could not opt for a second opinion at that time and continued taking the prescribed medicines.

According to officials, she continued the medication until recently, when her in-laws learned about her condition. She allegedly faced mental harassment, character allegations and was forced out of her home. She later underwent tests earlier this month at multiple government and private facilities, all returned negative results.

Following this, the family filed a complaint on April 8 with Solapur District Civil Surgeon, Dr Varsha Doiphode, alleging discrepancies in the medical reports and a lack of proper guidance. She further claimed this led to mental distress and concerns over treatment accuracy. The woman also claimed that unnecessary medication adversely affected her health.

The four-member inquiry committee formed on April 9 will be headed by Dr SP Kulkarni, resident medical officer at the District Hospital, Solapur. Other members include Dr Maya Shelke, Medical Officer, Rural Hospital, Wadala; Satish Salgar, State Reference Laboratory Technical Officer, Department of Microbiology, Dr VM Government Medical College, Solapur; and Sakat, District Programme Officer, Maharashtra State AIDS Control Programme, Solapur.

Dr Doiphode said the committee must submit a detailed report within eight days. “Medically, once a person tests HIV positive, they do not revert to a negative status. This makes the matter extremely serious and requires thorough investigation. Stern appropriate action will be taken against those found at fault,” she said.

The case has triggered demands for a transparent probe, strict action against those found responsible and compensation for the affected woman.