India’s Supreme Court has approved the Indian Govt.’s direction to all States that doctors in government and private hospitals should not refuse treatment to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA).
All States should implement the Indian Govt.’s instructions forthwith, said a Bench consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice P. Sathasivam.
“In rural areas, there are no doctors. They (PHCs) are functioning only on paper. There is no facility at PHCs. Hospitals function without any doctor,” the bench said.
“It must be ensured that there is no discrimination or stigma to PLHA’s (persons living with HIV or AIDS) at health care facilities otherwise. The cases of denial of services to positive patients should be viewed seriously and action initiated in all such cases,” the Health Ministry’s office memorandum circulated among states.
The Govt. said it has circulated directions to states for taking action against doctors and para-medical staff, in both government and private sector, for shunning AIDS or HIV patients.
Source: Health Newstrack, India