Doctor suspected of spreading HIV: “I do not share needles with patients”
A male doctor in Phu Tho admitted to providing intravenous injections at home but insisted he did not share needles with patients.
This doctor currently works at the Tan Son District Medical Center, Phu Tho. In recent days, people in Kim Thuong commune suspect that the doctor used the same needle for many patients, causing HIV infection to many people. Doctor Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, Director of the District Medical Center, said that this medical staff member worked as a nurse in the Examination Department, practicing since 2009, then transferred to the medical profession.
In a report to the leadership, the male doctor admitted to providing IVs at home but insisted that he did not share needles with patients. He also admitted to making mistakes in examining patients without a license to practice or operate a private clinic.
The doctor said: "I do not open a clinic or sell medicine at home, but simply serve the sick villagers who come to me for help.""I hope the authorities will get involved to find out the cause of the incident."
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Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, Director of Tan Son District Medical Center, where the male doctor is working. Photo:LN |
"He himself is a doctor, has knowledge and many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, so it is impossible for him to let patients share needles," said Ms. Hoa.
On the afternoon of August 13, experts from the Ministry of Health also went to Kim Thuong commune to verify the incident and find out the cause of the HIV infection. The health sector has checked and taken samples for testing, and so far discovered 42 people in this commune are infected with HIV, including those who have progressed to AIDS. The source of infection for these patients has not yet been found. The investigation has only stopped at finding out the general condition, the specific cause needs time, possibly several months.
Meanwhile, many people in Kim Thuong commune are extremely confused. The leaders of the Department of Health and the District Health Center have sent doctors and counselors to the commune to provide advice and reduce psychological trauma for the people, ensuring that 100% of suspected infected people receive ARV treatment. HIV-infected cases who comply with taking ARV drugs can live a healthy life and the drugs are free.
Kim Thuong commune has about 6,600 people living, mainly Muong ethnic group, living by farming, occasionally people go out of the district to work elsewhere.
