HIV woman refused admission, gives birth by roadside

HYDERABAD - An HIV-positive woman was forced to give birth to her baby by the roadside after a government-run hospital allegedly refused her admission.

The shocking incident took place Sunday evening in Suryapet town of Nalgonda district, about 170 km from here.

According to delayed reports reaching the state capital, some women in the town helped deliver the baby after the pregnant woman collapsed by the roadside.

Alivelu, wife of a daily wage labourer from Kesaram village in Nalgonda, reached Government Area Hospital in Suryapet. After the blood examination, she was found HIV-positive and the staff on duty allegedly refused her admission saying the doctors were not available.

The 28-year-old was asked to come to the hospital the next day. Some relatives accompanying her tried to get her admitted to a private hospital but could not arrange the money. In the meantime, she developed labour pains and some local women came forward to help her.

Shocked by the incident, Health Minister D. Nagender announced a probe. “We will take action against those who refused to admit the woman,” the minister told reporters.

Alivelu, who had returned to the village with the new-born Sunday night, was brought to the town and admitted to the hospital by health officials.

R.V. Chandravadan, director, Andhra Pradesh AIDS Control Society, said there was no reason for a government hospital to deny admission to any HIV-infected person. “Action will definitely be taken against those found guilty,” he said.