Minister gives Rs 2 lakh to HIV-infected woman at GRH

Minister for Dairy Development KT Rajendhra Bhalaji on Sunday gave a cheque of Rs 2 lakh to the 24-year-old pregnant woman who was infected with HIV after blood transfusion.

He visited the victim undergoing Anti-Retro-Viral Therapy (ART) treatment in the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and New born Care (CEMONC) ward at the Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital and enquired about her health.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the victim, the Minister said it was unfortunate that such an incident had occurred. “However, all necessary medical treatment is being provided to the woman to ensure that the baby is not infected with HIV. No such incident would occur in future.”

He said all help is being provided to the victim. House site patta is given to the family of the woman who is a native of Sattur and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has issued an order to provide her with a government job too, he added.

S Shanmuga Sundaram, Dean in -charge of Madurai GRH, accompanied the Minister during the visit. The pregnant woman, who was earlier under treatment in Sattur Government Hospital, where the HIV infected blood was transfused, was referred to Madurai GRH on December 26, sources said.