Pregnant HIV+ woman to get Rs 50,000 compensation for denial of treatment

Bihar human rights commission asks the health department to pay pregnant HIV+ woman Rs 50,000 for denying her treatment.

Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) asked the health department on Monday to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 to a HIV-positive woman patient within two months for denial of treatment and ill-treatment meted out to her at Aurangabad Sadar hospital.

The health department would also apprise the commission about efforts initiated on sensitisation of doctors and paramedic staffs towards reception of HIV positive patients at government hospitals. (Shutterstock)

“It is, therefore, prima facie established that the HIV+ pregnant woman was denied treatment and ill-treated by the lady doctor Dr Lalsa Sinha at Sadar Hospital, Aurangabad,” commission member Neelmani said in an order.

“A compensation of Rs 50,000 be paid to the pregnant woman within two months by the health department for human rights violations she has suffered at the hands of the lady doctor,” the order said.

The health department would apprise the commission about disciplinary action initiated against the lady doctor, it said.

Besides, the health department would also apprise the commission about efforts initiated on sensitisation of doctors and paramedic staffs towards reception of HIV positive patients at government hospitals.

The commission had taken a suo motu cognisance of media report that appeared on May 19, which said that a HIV positive pregnant lady was insulted and denied treatment by a lady doctor posted at Aurangabad Sadar Hospital.

On the commission’s directive, Aurangabad district magistrate conducted an inquiry and later asked the civil surgeon, Aurangabad to identify the doctor concerned and initiate action.

The commission directed health department principal secretary to file a report in this regard by August 9 when the matter would be taken up for hearing.