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Written By: Agencies | Updated : March 5, 2014 7:55 PM IST
A probe began Tuesday into the death of a HIV positive man at the Patna Medical College and Hospital after he was allegedly refused dialysis treatment by some doctors last week, an official said. The man in his mid-40s, died March 1 after battling for life for five days following the refusal of treatment, according to his relatives.
PMCH principle Amar Kant Jha said that a three-member team of doctors has started investigations into the case and he has also sought a clarification from the head of the nephrology department. 'I have asked the team to submit the probe report within two days,' Jha said. Jha told IANS that the PMCH has taken the matter seriously.(Read: Rapid HIV tests to detect ailment in 15-20 minutes!)
'The team was told to investigate the cause of death of the HIV positive man and why he was not provided dialysis if it was required,' he said. Jha said that the report will also highlight negligence if any and identify the guilty, who will be punished. The HIV positive man from Saran district was admitted to the PMCH on Feb 24. After a check up and tests in the medicine department, doctors referred him to the nephrology department for dialysis. But doctors there refused him despite his and his relatives' repeated requests.(Read: 11 things about HIV/AIDS you didn't know)
This was not the first such case in PMCH. Last September, a 45-year-old HIV positive woman, who was suffering from intestinal obstruction, died after doctors refused to operate on her. (Read: Coming soon an effective HIV vaccine?)
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects the human immune system. AIDS is the final stage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. If an HIV positive person is left untreated, his/her condition deteriorates into full-blown AIDS where the immune system stops working. Thus the immune system is unable to protect the person from diseases or infections. The virus can be transmitted from an HIV positive person through the exchange of body fluids. This can happen through sexual contact, blood transfusion, needles or from a mother to child during pregnancy. Though there is no cure yet, antiretroviral treatment has proven to be very effective. (Read: HIV/AIDS Causes, Symptoms, Tests, Treatment & More)
With inputs from IANS
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