PESHAWAR, Sept 20: The authorities at the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) have closed the isolation room adjacent to the labour ward for fumigation after an HIV-positive mother gave birth to a baby on Saturday, sources told Dawn.

“A 17-year-old woman from Miranshah, North Waziristan Agency, was brought to the Labour Room from where she was shifted to the isolation room when it was discovered that she was suffering from AIDS,” said a doctor who attended the woman.

According to her, the pregnant woman left for her hometown after giving birth to a daughter.

The room where she delivered the baby had been closed for fumigation to protect other patients from being infected with the AIDS virus, the doctor added.

According to the doctor, towels, gloves and bed-sheets used by the woman, had been burnt, whereas instruments had been discarded soon after the delivery procedure was completed.

The isolation room was reserved for the patients suffering from HIV/ AIDS, hepatitis-B & C and other infectious diseases, the doctor said. Every teaching hospital has such rooms where patients with infectious diseases are treated, she added.

According to other doctors of the hospital, relatives of the pregnant woman tried to get her admitted to various city hospitals but none of the gynaecologists agreed to treat her in view of her ailment. However, the woman was admitted to the KTH, where she delivered a baby in normal conditions.

“We knew she had AIDS, but being professionals, we have the means to facilitate all sorts of patients coming here for treatment,” said a gynaecologist who was part of the team that attended the woman.

According to her, they could not refuse patients because it was immoral and unethical to refuse patients who need medical assistance.

This is the second time that an HIV-positive mother had given birth to a baby at the KTH. “A 34-year-old woman was tested HIV positive on July 14, 2001. She also belonged to Miranshah. Her husband, who was working in Dubai for the last 20 years, had been deported to Pakistan one year back,” said a pathologist.

Majority of the AIDS patients in the NWFP belonged to Hangu, Tall, Bannu and Parachinar districts. One reason given for prevalence of AIDS in these areas is that many people from these areas work abroad where they contact the AIDS virus.

A doctor said every person coming from the UAE or Middle East should be tested for HIV at the airports and the findings of the test should be passed on to their relatives, especially wives.