SC notice on plea for exclusive hospitals for AIDS patients

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the central government on a plea seeking establishment of the hospitals in every state and union territory for exclusive treatment and care of AIDS patients.

A bench of Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice C. Nagappan issued notice on a PIL by senior counsel Parmanand Katara who had also sought establishment of AIDS testing and treatment clinic in every district in the country.

The notice has also been issued to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which as the advocate said, could provide resources and expertise in setting up such hospitals.

Seeking setting up of at least one hospital in every state and union territory at par with the All India Institute of Medical Science for the exclusive treatment of HIV positive and AIDS patients, Katara has also sought establishment of AIDS testing and treatment clinics in every district level jail as well as central jails.

Addressing the court on his PIL, he sought to justify his plea, telling the court that due to ignorance and stigma attached to them, AIDS patients suffer a lot of discrimination in their treatment and care.

He told the court that even doctors treat them as untouchables and don't give them treatment.