Misheck Shambare
Pregnant women in Chipinge district have resorted to deliver their babies at home and avoid going to the nearest St Peters Hospital because nurses are disclosing their health status to the public.
After the policy that was introduced by the Ministry of Health and Child Care that every pregnant woman should undergo an HIV and AIDS test when they come for registration, many women are now afraid to go to the hospital because if they are found to be HIV positive their information will be disclosed to any person at the nearest Growth Point.
Many people have distanced themselves from going at St Peters Hospital to keep their health matters safe and not be disclosed to anyone in their community.
With a recent report from National Aids Council that stigmatization of HIV and AIDS is still high in the country, no one wants to be associated with HIV and AIDS as they will risk being talked about in their societies.
It is becoming difficult for a lot of pregnant women to give birth at this local hospital since their health status will be exposed to anyone and be risk stigmatization; rather they choose to give birth at home because the nearest Manzvire clinic is 40 kilometres away.
The patient has a right to withhold their medical information and the doctor must get consent from the patient before speaking to a relative or a sponsor.
The Checheche area with St Peters Hospital in Chipinge is a small community which everyone knows each other which makes it fundamental for health matters of patience to be kept private.
The nurses who are embroiled in this scandal are acting Sister in charge of St Peters Hospital who was identified as Mrs Mugarisi and one male nurse who was identified as John Mhlanga.
A pregnant Checheche resident Netsai Sithole said she cannot go to the clinic since if she is found HIV positive her health status will be all over the Checheche area.
“I have decided not to go to the hospital because they are disclosing patient’s health information of patients to the general public,” she said.
These identified nurses have a tendency of just disposing health information of patients to anyone at the Checheche growth point.
“Unotonzwa vachiti ava vakafa kare tinavo kwedu kuchirongwa/ You hear them say that these people are same as dead we have the on antiretrovirals,” said Sithole.
Dr. Brighton Chireka who is a GP and a Patient Engagement Advocate (PEA) in Folkestone Kent, UK said a doctor is bound to respect patients’ right to privacy and confidentiality.
“Our registration boards make it clear that patients have a right to expect that information about them will be held in confidence by their doctors.
However Dr Chireka added that the patient health information can only be disclosed when the patient has requested to do so or with his consent.
“I can only disclose patients’ information if I am given the consent by the patient or if it is required by law or it is in the public interest,” he said.
The consequences of disclosing such information without the consent of the patient can result in the doctor or the whole hospital sued for a lot of money for the damage.
“I have to justify my actions as I can be sued by the patient for breaching confidentiality and my registration will be at risk if I am found guilty.
“As a doctor I must establish with the patient what information they want to share, who with, and in what circumstances,” said Dr Chireka.
Especially issues to do with HIV and AIDS not so many people want to be associated with the deadly pandemic diseases and they will prefer to keep the information secret and safe.
Very few people have decided to come open with their HIV status which means anyone will do anything possible to make sure his or her status is protected.
The situation is worse to pregnant mothers who are forced to get tested in order they can be on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme to protect their babies.
