Doctors put up ‘poster’ to identify HIV patient in Meerut

In a gross violation of medical ethics and law, medicos at the LLRM Hospital of the medical college in Meerut displayed a ‘poster’ to isolate an HIV patient, who had been admitted to the gynaecology department for delivery.

Officials of Care and Support Centre, an NGO working for the welfare of HIV patients, brought this issue to the notice of the college’s senior officials on Friday.

They demanded strict action against those who made the identity of the HIV-affected woman public through the ‘posters’.

“Medicos displayed the posters on both sides of the woman’s bed in order to isolate her from other patients,” said Ritu Saxena, a counsellor from the NGO. “Such acts come under the purview of law as one cannot disclose the identity of HIV patients in public. We demand stern action against such wrongdoers,” she said.

Accusing the doctors of insensitivity, Saxena said, “The woman may face serious social problems after being identified as HIV positive.” After objections from the NGO officials, the posters were removed and the patient shifted to a different ward.

A committee, led by the head of department (HoD) of gynaecology, has been formed to probe the matter. “The panel will submit its findings in three days,” said Dr Pradeep Bharti, acting principal of the medical college.

The affected woman was admitted to the medical college hospital on June 19 for delivery and she gave birth to a girl. Three years ago, she had married an HIV-positive person, who is now in jail over a family feud.

In June 2007, a similar incident had occurred when doctors refused to deliver the baby of an HIV-affected patient.