Doctors refuse to conduct postmortem of HIV patient

Published On: November 12, 2018 02:30 AM NPT By: Sarita Shrestha

DHADING, Nov 12: The dead body of an HIV-infected woman who committed suicide remained untouched in the postmortem hall of the District Hospital, Dhading for two days as doctors feared examining it.

All the preparations were underway to conduct the postmortem before the doctors were informed about the HIV status of the patient. The doctors stated that the postmortem could not be conducted at the District Hospital due to the risk and lack of equipment and tools.

The thirty-seven-year-old patient of Nilkantha Municipality-5, Khalte had consumed an insecticide named bullet 505 at around 9: 30 am on Friday. According to the husband of the deceased, his daughter informed him about the situation of his wife after she started going to the toilet and vomiting frequently.

Initially, she was taken to Keureni for treatment in a truck but later she had to be rushed to Kathmandu in an ambulance. Unfortunately, she succumbed on the way in Dharke.

Her dead body was brought to District Hospital, Dhading following the recommendation of the Area Police Office, Khanikhola.

"Doctors refused to conduct her postmortem stating they had no equipment or clothes which could prevent the risk of HIV," said the husband of the deceased. After waiting for two days, the body was finally taken to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for postmortem on Sunday.

The deceased person was the second wife of a local of Nilkantha Municipality. She too had tied the knot for the second time in 2009. She was infected with HIV in 2002 and was having regular medicines when she got married. The reason behind her suicide is still unknown.

Dr Pukar Panta of District Hospital, Dhading stated that the postmortem could not be conducted in lack of proper clothes and equipment. Venting his anger against the media personnels' repeated questions, Dr Panta said, "I have told time and again that we could not conduct the postmortem because we lack the equipment that will keep away the risk of HIV."

Sometimes, dead bodies have to be kept for days before postmortem but sadly, that is not possible in the District Hospital due to lack of Mortuary Refrigerator. Not just that, the hospital also lacks lots of other equipment.