On Wednesday, Centre told the supreme court that the doctors of all states either in government hospitals or in private hospitals should not refuse the treatment of HIV/AIDS(PLHA). 

The bench consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice P. Sathasivam said that all states should implement the Centre’s instructions. 

At a hearing of a PIL highlighting lack of interest and facilities for HIV/AIDS patients all over India, Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said, “In rural India, there are hardly any doctors. Even in a 50-bed hospital not a single doctor is available. It’s only on paper.” 

According to the Centre’s arbitrary order, “All doctors, nurses and hospital staff, whether in the public or private sector, shall treat PHLA in a professional manner, treating them always with dignity and care. No doctor or nurse shall refuse to treat PLHA on account of their positive status. In treating PLHA, there shall be no discrimination or stigma whatsoever.”

 It also said, “Doctors in the private sector, in particular, are directed to immediately familiarize themselves with the National AIDS Control Organization’s (NACO) comprehensive protocols and policies with regard to care and treatment. NACO-approved Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) regimen has proven to be cost-effective and safe and PLHA have shown good response to this regimen.” The cases of denial of services to the HIV+ patients should be viewed seriously and action initiated. 

The government said: “Strict action must be taken on all irrational prescriptions of ART. All advertisements offering potential cure for HIV must be banned and such organizations should be dealt with strictly, as there is no proven cure available for HIV/AIDS so far.”