Bhuj hospital Denied treatment, Two HIV-positive patients die

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Denied treatment by Bhuj hospitals, two HIV-positive patients die

Kumar Anand

Ahmedabad, July 22: Two HIV-positive patients died in Gandhidham in

Bhuj district on Sunday, after they were denied treatment at

hospitals here.

Khushbu (2) and Babubhai Maheshwari (35) were denied timely treatment

at hospitals, leading to their deaths.

Maheshwari, a mason worker from Sunderpuri area of Gandhidham was

suffering from STDs as well as tuberculosis, for which he was

undergoing treatment at the GK General Hospital in Bhuj. He was also

detected HIV-positive a year ago. Last week, blisters appeared in his

whole body, spreading from his testicles.

Umashankar Pandey, president of Kutch Network of HIV-positive People,

an NGO working for HIV-positive people in the region, said, " After he

developed complications, he approached the General Hospital here,

which kept him on drugs for a long time until his situation became

worse. The blisters on his body required operation. But the Civil

Hospital authorities did not even admit him for operation. "

Babubhai is survived by his mother, wife and three kids with no one

other than local NGOs to look after them.

Suryaprakash Bheda, General Surgeon of the GK General Hospital said

he had no knowledge of the case. " We have sufficient treatment

facilities for HIV-positive patients here. But in some cases, we have

to refer patients to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, which might be his

case. This patient might have come here after his situation had

become complicated, " he said.

In the other incident, HIV-positive Khushbu died after she was denied

treatment by two local hospitals in Gandhidham. Khusbhu developed

respiratory problems on Sunday morning.

Amritbhai, her father, said, " While Muskan Hospital, charged

exorbitant amount for treating

the child, Dhanwantri Hospital, gave the excuse that they did not

have sufficient equipments, like oxygen cylinder, needed for her

treatment. "

A hospital finally took her in, but it was too late for Khushbu.

DM Saxena, Assistant Director, Gujarat State Aids Control Society,

said he was not informed of the matter. " I have not got the details

of the case, but will inquire into it once we learn about them. We

will take action against hospitals if they are found discriminating

against the HIV-positive patients. We are working hard to change the

mindset of the people, but we cannot achieve this in a day's time, "

he added.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=247231

Umashankar Pandey

President

Kachchh Network for Positive People

Mobile:09328945146

e-mail: <kachchhnp@...>