HIV-infected Indian dies in Bahrain

Muthanna Poshanna died even as arrangements were being made to send him back to his home in Andhra Pradesh.

An Indian labourer with HIV has died in Bahrain, even as arrangements were made to send him home to a family he had not seen in over 15 years.

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Muthanna Poshanna, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, died at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) of complications from tuberculosis and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Indian Embassy officials and local volunteers had already finalised details of his return home in May, but were advised by doctors to postpone the trip due to Poshanna's deteriorating health.

"He was not fit to travel back home. We tried to send him home as he was eager to see his family after all these years, but his condition was bad and he could not travel," Charitable and Cultural Association (SCCA) general secretary KR Nair was quoted as saying by the Gulf Daily News.

Officials said they had to wait for the decision of Poshanna's family on what to do with his remains.

"The family has sent us word that they would like him cremated and we are already making arrangements for that. The body will be cremated in Bahrain soon."

He eventually found work as a labourer, but since arriving in Bahrain he had not even been home once to visit his wife and three children.