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Chief Secretary asked to file personal affidavit by October 15
Case from Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Hospital, Raipur
Bilaspur:
The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken strong exception to the incident at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur, where an HIV-positive woman’s identity was publicly disclosed.
The division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Amitendra Kishor Prasad took suo motu cognizance of the matter and directed the Chief Secretary to file a personal affidavit.
The court remarked: “This act is not only inhuman but also a gross violation of morality, dignity, and the right to privacy guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.”
The Case
A report published on October 10 revealed that a poster was placed between the gynecology ward and nursery ward of the hospital, stating- “The baby’s mother is HIV positive.”
When the baby’s father saw the poster, he broke down in tears.
Court’s Sharp Observation
The bench called the act “extremely insensitive and condemnable,” saying it exposed the woman and her newborn to social stigma and discrimination. The court said such behavior cannot be tolerated in a premier state-run hospital.
Court’s Directions
The Chief Secretary must clarify-
- What measures exist to protect patient confidentiality in state hospitals?
- What steps have been taken to sensitize staff about such issues?
- What future plans exist to educate doctors and paramedical staff on ethical and legal duties?
The next hearing will be held on October 15, 2025, and the state must submit a detailed action report before the court.