OTV Impact: Medical Team Visits HIV Positive Pregnant Woman 'Denied Treatment' At Malkangiri Hospital

A medical team on Tuesday visited Kudulumugumma village in Malkangiri district to inquire about the health of a HIV positive woman who gave birth to a girl child at her home after she was allegedly denied treatment at Community Health Centre(CHC).

The move from the hospital authorities came after OTV’s report highlighted this case of alleged discrimination to HIV patients in Odisha.

Taking a note on the report, the Chief District Medical Officer of Malkanagiri, Dr Prafulla Nanda along with a medical team visited the village and checked the health condition of both the mother and her newborn. 

“Both the mother and daughter are fine,” informed Dr. Nanda.

Further explaining the matter, Dr. Nanda added, “The pregnant woman was taken to the CHC around 6 pm in the evening by her family after she complaint of severe labour pain. There she received preliminary treatment. But after learning that she was HIV Patient, the staff at CHC referred her to the District Headquarter Hospital as they lacked the necessary facility to treat the HIV-positive pregnant woman. But the husband did not take her to the district hospital stating various reasons and brought her home where she delivered the baby.” 

As per the claim of her husband, the woman was allegedly denied admission by the hospital staff at the CHC on Monday, after learning that she is HIV positive. They referred her to the District Headquarters Hospital and also ignored his request for an ambulance to transport her.

After being turned away, the woman was allegedly carried on a bike by her husband to their home where she gave birth to a girl child.