Sharmili Mallick

Baripada: An HIV positive pregnant woman was allegedly left unattended for more than 36 hours at Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital (PRM-MCH) in Baripada of Mayurbhanj district.

The woman, a resident of Jamada block in Maurbhanj district, was referred from Jamada Hospital to PRM-MCH on December 12.

The family members of the woman and an ASHA worker who accompanied her alleged that as the expectant mother was suffering from AIDS, the doctors at the hospital refused treatment.

“The doctors didn’t even touch her as she is an HIV positive patient,” alleged the husband of the woman while speaking to OTV.

After receiving information when an OTV team reached the hospital and intimated the matter to Baripada CDMO, the pregnant woman was immediately taken to the operation theatre at around 8.30 AM today. However, she delivered a stillborn girl child; her health condition is stated to be stable now.

Social workers and locals have alleged that HIV positive patients coming to the hospital often face such discrimination.

Condemning the incident, Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das has directed an enquiry."I don't understand how a doctor can refuse treating someone. I have directed an enquiry into the incident and action will be taken against the doctors responsible for the negligence," said Das.

Meanwhile, the concerned hospital authorities are yet to comment on the incident.

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