Pathology lab in Karnataka messes up HIV blood test report

After conducting a blood test on a female patient, a pathology lab in Haveri district in Karnataka gave an HIV-positive report, scaring the daylights out of the woman and her family.

When the family approached for a second opinion, the first report turned out to be false. Kulsambi was suggested to undergo a blood test by a doctor of the district hospital as she had a lump on her hand.

Kulsambi and her family were upset after the pathologist gave them an HIV-positive report. They approached the consulting doctor who suggested the second blood test which showed negative results. To be sure this time, Kulsambi took a blood test for the third time which confirmed the second blood test report.

District hospital surgeon Dr Mahesh Badni said, "We have a professional staff with technical expertise and we never recommend for tests at private laboratories. Only in the case of emergencies do we approach private pathology labs or else HIV tests are conducted at our hospital."

District Health Officier Dr Sunilchandra Avaradi said, "If patient lodges a  complaint against the laboratory then suitable action would be taken. The general public should get their HIV examination done in government hospitals."