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Pana:  Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) on Tuesday issued notice to Regional Additional Director, Health Services, Saran,  in  connection with apathy shown to an HIV positive patient at Chhapra.

BHRC member Neelmani said the DDC, Madhubani, has brought to the notice of the Commission that his nephew Alok Kumar, son of Mukhtar Prasad, village Sikhti (Gola), Masrakh Block, district Saran, was detected HIV positive at IGIMS, Patna,  and was referred to Anti Retro-Viral Therapy (ATR) Centre at Saran for treatment. His nephew reached Sadar Hospital, Chhapra, on April 22, 2016, at 7 am but was denied admission to the hospital till 12 noon. The patient was lying on a stretcher in the open, under a Mango tree, for 5 hours on Sadar Hospital campus.

It was only after the DDC made repeated calls to the Civil Surgeon, Saran, and DPM, Saran, that he was admitted and given a dingy room that too without fans. According to the employees posted at the ART Centre at Saran, the lady incharge of the centre was on leave hence it was  closed. Medicines were made available to the patient only after parting with Rs 1,300 whereas he is entitled to free medicines.

The BHRC said the allegations, if, true, reflects a sorry state of affairs at the ART Centre, Saran. It has directed the Regionl Additional Director, Health Services, Saran, to immediately file report to the Commission by May 31, 2016, failing which Commission may be constrained to direct for his personal appearance. The report should also indicate fixation of responsibility for the apathy shown at the ATR Centre, when was the ATR Centre at Saran established and why has it not become functional?  During absence of the Incharge doctor, what is the alternative arrangement for the ATR Centre, why patient was charged money for the medicines?  response shown by the Civil Surgeon, Saran ,and DPM, Saran.   The matter will be listed on June 7, 2016.