Chandigarh: PGI turns away HIV positive couple

April 1, 2009

PGI turns away HIV positive couple

20 Mar 2009, 0012 hrs IST, Shimona Kanwar, TNN

CHANDIGARH: A day after Vadodara in Gujarat reported the tragic end of an HIV

positive family of four that entered into a suicide pact, the shocking news of a

couple from Sangrur in Punjab being reportedly denied treatment for the same

disease in region's premier health institute emerged on Thursday.

Left speechless at the utter insensitivity of PGI authorities, Sukhpal Singh,

38, and wife Jaspal Kaur, three years younger, have now filed a written

complaint with the drop-in centre for people living with HIV and AIDS at State

AIDS Control Society in Sector 15, Chandigarh, and medical superintendent of

PGI.

After testing positive at a hospital in Patiala, the couple was shown the way to

PGI for hope. " When we came here, doctors turned us away saying that our nearest

anti-retroviral therapy centre was in Patiala's Rajindra Medical College and,

therefore, we should go there, " said a disheartened Sukhpal.

Unable to see his sister suffer, Sant Ram Singh, Jaspal?s brother added, " My

sister's condition is worse. She has been ill for the past one week. When we

sought admission in PGI's emergency, we were sent to OPD, which refused her all

tests. "

Decrying the turning away of the HIV positive couple in complete violation of

National AIDS Control Organisation guidelines, Vineeta Gupta, director, State

AIDS Control Organization, said, " For patients' convenience, we see to it that

they get treatment in the nearest hospital. That is one reason why HIV patients

are issued transfer cards to hospitals of their choice to maintain data. On no

account can any hospital deny treatment. "

Sensing the gravity of the issue, the director added, " Patients can forward

their complaints to our grievance cell that was formed recently to address such

issues and more. " On the defensive, PGI denied the allegations. " The patients

have been asked to attend OPD for treatment and their tests will follow, " said

Manju Wadwalkar, PGI's official spokesperson. Whether or not any damage control

follows remains to be seen at the institute that caters to patients from

Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Only recently, PGI had started the second-line treatment of HIV, unavailable

anywhere else in the northern region. Thus, one is left battling the question

whether all this upgradation is of any help until and unless end users are

benefited.

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