Earlier
this year a teenaged PLHIV visited the OPD of the GH Bhiwani with fever,
vomiting and diarrhoea. He approached a physician for admission and was refused
and referred to PGI Rohtak.
On
meeting the boy it was evident to the DACO that he needed admission. The DPM was
asked to meet with the physician to sort out the problem. The physician advised
a bone marrow test on OPD slip of the patient before admission. The DPM
consulted to a doctor in PGIMS Rohtak who advised him that the test was not an
emergency and the sample could be sent the following day but patient must be
admitted immediately. However the physician at the GH clearly refused to admit
him.
The
DIC coordinator also requested the CMO and PMO to intervene but the matter was
not resolved. Eventually, State Nodal Officer intervened in this matter and an
emergency meeting was convened between the CMO, PMO, Dy. Civil Surgeon (TB),
Physician, DPM and Coordinator DIC to resolve the matter.
The
matter discussed was whether the decision of a specialist to admit or refer
should be interfered with? The
DACO and Nodal person explained that it was occasionally important to question
these practices as there was a tendency NOT TO TREAT the PLHIV and instead refer
them to other institutions.
A
detailed discussion ensued and finally the boy was admitted in emergency. What
was shocking was that “HIV +ve” was written on his indoor file with Red Pen. It
was again a blunder mistake by causality Medical officer. DPM again intervened and
the indoor file was changed.
We believe that it is continuous efforts in
small and big, micro and macro initiatives that move forward the struggle with
HIV. DAPCUs have a responsibility in ensuring that the district level health
facilities treat PLHIV without stigma or discrimination.
