Hyderabad: Treatment of HIV-infected patients will be made compulsory in private hospitals as it is found that they are often referred to government hospitals on the pretext of clinical examinations.
The stigma and discrimination against these patients is very high and despite the awareness about the disease, there has been little change at the ground level.
A senior officer explained, “We have seen a lot of cases where Human immuno-deficiency virus infected pregnant women are not given basic treatment in private hospitals. Such people are sent to government hospitals on the pretext of clinical examinations. In some cases, crucial time is lost due to non-treatment in private hospitals. Now private hospitals will have support to these patients.”
Similarly, in the case of children, the condition deteriorates as they get no medical help at private hospitals and by the time they go to the government hospital it is too late.
For this reason, the officers of Andhra Pradesh AIDS Society want the Telangana government to issue an order making it mandatory for private hospitals to treat HIV-infected patients, and initiate action against hospitals for any violation.
An officer explained, “We are ready to supply kits to the hospitals, but they must extend support.” he said.
