Pregnant woman left in pain as doctors allegedly refuse delivery citing HIV positive report; probe ordered after protest

Sonepur (The Uttam Hindu): A disturbing case highlighting alleged negligence in the health system has surfaced from Sonepur in Bihar. At the Sub-Divisional Hospital, a pregnant woman who had arrived for delivery was reportedly declared HIV positive based on a test conducted at the hospital. According to family members, medical staff then refused to conduct her delivery and avoided contact with her. As the woman remained in severe labor pain, her relatives protested inside the hospital premises, raising serious concerns about patient care and testing procedures.

Woman in labor allegedly denied assistance

According to available information, the woman, a resident of the Nayagaon police station area, had previously visited the same hospital for routine check-ups. On Saturday morning, when she experienced labor pain, her family rushed her to the Sub-Divisional Hospital. After preliminary testing, hospital staff reportedly informed the family that she was HIV positive and declined to proceed with the delivery. Family members stated that despite repeated requests for help, no staff member came forward due to fear of infection.

Delivery conducted after protest

As tension escalated and a crowd gathered, protests broke out within the hospital premises. Following the uproar, ASHA and Mamta workers, along with women from the family, intervened. They shifted the woman to the delivery room, where she safely gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

Private lab report contradicts hospital claim

Amid the controversy, the family sought a second test from a private pathology laboratory. The private lab report showed the woman to be HIV negative, contradicting the hospital’s earlier findings. Taking note of the incident, the in-charge Medical Officer of the Sub-Divisional Hospital, Dr. Poonam Singh, acknowledged the seriousness of the matter. She stated that the staff concerned had been reprimanded and emphasized that such conduct toward a patient is unacceptable. An inquiry into the incident has been initiated.