Docs who turn away AIDS patients will pay: Centre

The Centre informed the SC that it has decided to take firm action against doctors and paramedical staff for refusing treatment to HIV/AIDS patients, reports Bhadra Sinha.

The Centre on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to take firm action against doctors and paramedical staff, both in the government and private sectors, for refusing treatment to HIV/AIDS patients.

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Apprising a bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan about its latest guidelines, issued to state governments and private hospitals, Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium said: “It will be ensured there is no discrimination or stigma to PLHAs (persons living with HIV or AIDS) at health care facilities otherwise. The cases of denial of service to positive patients would be viewed seriously and action initiated in all such cases.”

A copy of the guidelines, incorporated in an office memorandum dated August 26, was placed before the court. This comes in the backdrop of complaints highlighting the plight of patients denied treatment by private hospitals. One such patient recently moved the Supreme Court, alleging that a Mumbai hospital had declined to offer him treatment.