Doctors shall face action for shunning AIDS patients: SC

October 2, 2008

New Delhi, Oct 1 (PTI) Doctors who refuse to treat AIDS or HIV

patients will have to face the music as the Centre today told the

Supreme Court that it has decided to take firm action against them.

The Centre said it has circulated directions to states for taking

action against doctors and para-medical staff, in both government and

private sector, for shunning AIDS or HIV patients.

The Government's submission in the apex court comes in the backdrop

of complaints highlighting the plight of patients who were denied

treatment by doctors or para-medical staff both in private and

government hospitals.

" It must be ensured that there is no discrimination or stigma to

PLHA's (persons living with HIV or AIDS) at health care facilities

otherwise. The cases of denial of services to positive patients

should be viewed seriously and action initiated in all such cases, "

the Centre's office memorandum circulated among states and submitted

in the apex court today said.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices

Ashok Bhan-P Sathasivam on the request of the Additional Solicitor

General Gopal Subramaniam said it was approving the memorandum with a

direction to the states to implement the same.

However, during the hearing on a PIL related to the matter, the bench

minced no words in expressing displeasure at the condition of

hospitals and medicare in the country.

" In rural India, there is no doctor available. Even in a 50-bedded

hospital not a single doctor is present. It's only on paper, " the

apex court said when the ASG tried to highlight various steps taken

by the Government to provide efficacious treatment to HIV/AIDS

victims. PTI

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