RECENTLY, news about HIV positive children and adults in Larkana and Rotedaro has spread like wildfire.

In most of the diagnosed cases no names were given except that of the doctor who was arrested.

HIV is a long-term health condition which is now very easy to manage. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus targets the immune system and, if untreated, weakens your ability to fight infections and disease.

Nowadays, HIV treatment can stop the virus spreading and, if used early enough, it can reverse damage to the immune system.

In these times it is important to remember that HIV can only spread by bodily fluids, blood transfusion, sharing infected needles, open wounds and such.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it is only disclosed to the patient or in case of children to the parents in a confidential manner and cannot be disclosed to anyone else without the consent of the patient or parents/guardian.

In the case of this doctor (who was arrested), his career is now at stake. It is possible that he contracted the virus from an HIV positive child while drawing blood or administering an injection.

Instead of investigating the source of the HIV, this doctor has been penalised. This is not only unethical but also illegal. The authorities who have disclosed his name should be taken to task. We should look into how the virus has spread. Usually in cases where a child is positive, the virus is contracted from the mother during pregnancy. The mother could have contracted HIV from a partner, infected syringe or blood transfusion.

Why are we always in a hurry to penalise someone without an investigation? All the children who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS were not from his clinic.

On behalf of the Pakistan Pediatric Association, we demand the release of the pediatrician immediately.

Dr Mumtaz Lakhani
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2019