Corruption threatens to cripple state's war on HIV

December 3, 2010

Sumitra Deb Roy , TNN, Dec 3, 2010,

MUMBAI: While the state is working hard to contain HIV/AIDS, it seems to have

failed to immunize its medical programme against corruption and mismanagement of

funds. At least three high-level inquiries are currently underway, in addition

to several undercover operations to nab corrupt medical officers.

The Maharashtra State Aids Control Society (MSACS) is probing charges of bribery

against a medical officer at Thane civic hospital. The officer had allegedly

demanded a bribe of Rs 5,000 from the patient to write a prescription for free

anti-retroviral drugs. The role of the centre's counsellor is also suspect in

the episode. Another inquiry is on against a medical officer who allegedly

demanded money to refer a patient for second line HIV/AIDS treatment. There have

also been verbal complaints about medical officers demanding bribes to conduct

CD4 tests, which are free of cost.

Project director of MSACS, Dr Ramesh Devkar, said that urgent steps were being

taken to curb corruption at ART centres across the state. " In about a fortnight,

we will crackdown on all corrupt officers, " he said. " We are very discreet about

our plan of action as we do not want to alert any of the wrongdoers, " he added.

Devkar said Pune, Aurangabad and Solapur have emerged as the most notorious

districts for corruption.

The state-run JJ Hospital has to cater to a high number of HIV patients due to

the apathy of officials posted at ART centres. A Sawant (32), a resident of

Nagpur, was forced to come to JJ after the medical officer refused to change his

medication, despite the fact that he had suffered strong drug reactions. " Once I

reached the hospital 10 minutes late. The medical officer threw the file on my

face and refused to examine me, " he said. " The patients are made to feel guilty

for having contracted the virus, " he said.

Another patient from Solapur had developed lymph nodes and required immediate

medical attention. " But, the medical officer there referred the patient all the

way to Mumbai without giving any medication for temporary relief, " said head of

ART Centre of JJ hospital Dr Alaka Deshpande. " It calls for supervision of all

ART centres, " she said.

Clinical psychologist at JJ Hospital' s ART centre, Vaishali Shelar, said that

they have started insisting that patients submit written complaints against

errant doctors or counselors. These complaints are then forwarded to the state

agency or Mumbai District Aids Control Society.

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