HIV-infected pregnant woman left unattended in Odisha’s SCB hospital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Apr 20:

In a shocking incident, a pregnant woman infected with HIV suffered labour pain for around 30 hours on the hospital floor at SCB Medical College & Hospital in Cuttack and nobody attended her.

The allegation was brought by the victim’s husband complaining about the apathy shown to her wife at the hospital.

Nobody touched the pregnant woman at the hospital. The medical staff did not attend her even though she suffered labour pain for 30 hours, the husband alleged.

According to report, the 22-year-woman of Paradip area had married two years back. She became pregnant following miscarriage of the couple’s first child. However, the woman was tested HIV positive after undergoing the blood sample test on November 29, 2016 in Salepur. In consultation with the doctor, she was taking medicines for the HIV.

In view of past miscarriage of their first child, her husband with help of ASHA worker brought her to Cuttack SCB hospital on Tuesday night after she experienced labour pain. She was taken to the maternity ward directly as the OPD was closed. However, the medical staff did not attend her when they came to know that the woman was HIV infected patient. Even after suffering labour pain for 30 hours lying on the floor, the doctor or nurse did not help her. After 24 hours, she was sent to regional diagnosis centre for blood test where she returned with empty hand as the officials did not examine the blood. After the ASHA worker and her husband requested the doctor for treatment to relieve her pain, the later misbehaved them and drove them out.

Later, the victim’s husband and family approached a voluntary organisation ‘Utkal Samaj’ working in field of HIV infected patients seeking assistance for the woman. On intervention of the organisation, the woman was admitted to the SCB and provided a bed.

“After we contacted the SCB authorities in this regard, initiative was taken for treatment of the victim”, said Amiya Ranjan Biswal, president, Utkal Samaj.

However, the SCB denied any medical negligence towards the victim.

“The Patient has been allotted a bed in maternity ward and initiative has been taken for normal delivery”, said SCB Emergency officer Dr Bhubanananda Moharana, making it clear that there was no medical negligence made in treatment of the patient.