HIV+ spread among Chenchus a cause for concern

Mahabubnagar: Doctors at the Mahabubnagar Government Hospital successfully performed the delivery of a Chenchu baby boy on Wednesday. The successful normal delivery, which may sound like a regular affair for doctors, assumes significance due to the problems Chenchus living in forest areas have to face, especially if they are found HIV positive.

Shankari (name changed), mother of the newborn, was diagnosed as HIV positive during pregnancy. She was admitted to Achampet Government Hospital with labour pains. As she was found with very low haemoglobin levels, doctors at the hospital were apprehensive about delivering the baby and referred her to Nagarkurnool Government Hospital.

She was again referred to Mahabubnagar Government Hospital, where the doctors delivered a beautiful baby boy who was completely normal at the time of birth.

According to the doctors, the baby is being given preventive medication so that the infant doesn’t acquire the disease. However, they also clarified that it could not be confirmed whether the child would acquire HIV in future or not.