MADURAI

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday expressed concern over the plight of a woman from Sattur who was transfused HIV+ blood at a government hospital after the court was informed that she was being neglected by her husband.

The woman also informed the court that she was not allowed to interact with her elder daughter. The plight of the woman, who was heard in-chambers, has now been taken up suo motu by the court.

A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S.S. Sundar observed that considering the sufferings of the woman for no fault of hers, it was the duty of the government to take care of her and provide her necessary medical facilities.

The court said that her husband needed counselling. Taking cognisance of the fact that the woman is a graduate in commerce and is qualified in typewriting in English, the court said the government should give her a house, a suitable government job, monetary compensation and medical treatment throughout her life for the mental trauma she was undergoing.

The judges summoned the woman’s husband and her elder daughter to be present before the court to be heard in-chambers on March 27. The court appointed advocate R. Venkatesan as the counsel for the woman.

The court was hearing a batch of public interest litigation petitions that sought a direction to monitor blood banks in the State. The 23-year-old woman tested HIV positive after the blood of a donor was given to her at Sattur Government Hospital. She delivered a baby girl early this year, and the baby tested HIV negative.

The court also appreciated the efforts taken by doctors, obstetricians, gynaecologists, paediatricians and paramedical staff, who took care of the woman and the baby during and after delivery. The court had summoned the woman to ascertain the compensation provided to her by the State.