Dimapur, February 19 (MExN): The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society has raised concerns about the absence of doctors in the ART Centre at Dimapur district hospital. A statement issued today by the Commissioner & Secretary and Chairman of NSACS Menukhol John, expressed concern on the alleged neglect by the doctors resulting in the death of one PLHIV.
Reacting to the incident which rocked the Dimapur district hospital on Thursday, Menukhol John, speaking to The Morung Express said that a fact-finding committee has already been set up to look into the matter. He said a team of three senior doctors are in Dimapur to look into the ‘ground realities.’ Menukhol expressed grave concern over the incident and said any further action will be initiated only after the findings.
On Thursday, the community of PLHIV protested against the absence of doctors at the ART centre at Dimapur district hospital. The centre, where over 600 PLHIV are said to be accessing ART, is allegedly without a single doctor. The hospital authority clarified that of the two doctors posted at the ART centre, one is in ‘training’ while the other one is on leave. In the absence of the doctors, the PLHIV alleged that the ART centre was closed down without notice. The severity of the issue is heightened by the fact that one PLHIV died on Tuesday because there was no doctor to attend to him.
Condemnation poured in from several corners over the incident. Several non-government organizations working in the field of AIDS expressed displeasure. On condition of anonymity, one worker said PLHIV are in need of care twenty-four hours. He said it is erroneous on the part of the management to let one doctor go on leave while the other is still in training. He added that the NSACS keeps two doctors for the very purpose that PLHIV cannot be neglected at any cost.
