Hospital refuses HIV(+) patient, later admits

Burdwan(WB): An elderly patient suffering from AIDS was allegedly refused treatment at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital today, but was later on admitted after NGOs raised a hue and cry.

Dinabandhu Garai, secretary of a local NGO working on HIV(+) patients today allegedly that an 80-year-old person was admitted to the hospital with high fever and dizziness, but was refused admission after the authorities learnt that the person was suffering from AIDS.

“The patient was on his way to Gangasagar Mela from Haridwar and somehow reached the hospital with high fever. After the authorities learnt about his infection, they simply refused admission and denied him any treatment,” said Garai.

“After we took up the matter with the Deputy Superintendent, the patient was admitted and has been kept at the Observation Ward,” he said.

Hospital Deputy Superintendent Dr Amitava Saha said he had come to know about some anomalies regarding admitting a patient suffering from AIDS.

“This doesn’t happen in our hospital. However, we will investigate the reasons behind the initial denial of admission of a HIV(+) patient, as alleged,” said Dr Saha.