Hyderabad: HIV+ moms turned away at State-run primary health centres

[Guest guest]

HIV+ moms turned away at State-run primary health centres

Hyderabad, Aug. 11: Doctors in many State-run primary health centres

and area hospitals are refusing to admit and treat pregnant women who

are HIV positive. They use the tactic of " referring " them to tertiary

hospitals in cities to escape from the chore of delivering their

babies. The AP AIDS Control Society says that out of the 1,800 HIV

positive pregnant women who gave birth this year, less than 200 did

it in village, mandal and division level hospitals.

Private hospitals are not keen on taking in HIV positive pregnant

women either fearing transmission of infection to doctors and

paramedical staff. Most HIV positive pregnant women find refuge in

the Gandhi Medical College Hospital and Nayapul Maternity Hospital of

the city and a handful of district hospitals.

In Gandhi Hospital alone, 182 HIV positive women delivered babies

this year. Doctors here administer the Nevirapine drug to prevent the

infection passing from mother to child.

" There is open discrimination against such women, " said a health

official. " In some instances, they are not even being allowed into

hospitals. " The few deliveries that have taken place in PHC's are

attributed to nurse practitioners appointed by the APSACS to help HIV

positive pregnant women.

APSACS director K. Ashok Kumar said that there was serious

discrimination against such women in PHCs. " We are training PHC staff

to deal with such deliveries, " he said. The director added that

APSACS was trying to enlighten the doctors of private hospitals

too. " We have formed Be Bold doctors clubs where those willing to

treat HIV patients can enrol, " he said. " The list will be supplied to

all districts and women can approach these doctors. So far 300

doctors have joined. "

Fewer institutionalised deliveries is also hampering the APSACS

campaign for zero per cent HIV births by the end of 2007. According

to National Family Health Survey statistics, only 69 per cent of

births in the State take place in hospitals. Without

institutionalised delivery, there will be no HIV testing and no

effort to prevent transmission.

" Every year at least 12,000 HIV positive mothers give birth in the

State, " said Mr Ashok Kumar. APSACS so far tested 2.9 lakh pregnant

women in the State and found that 3,200 of them were HIV positive. Of

these, 1,800 delivered babies. There is no proper follow up for the

HIV mothers and their kids either. A baby has to be tested after 18

months to ensure that he is not infected. " We have formed 85 outreach

groups to follow up such cases, " said the director.

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