HIV-positive woman gives birth at Jashore hospital; OT shut for proper sterilisation

A 28-year-old HIV-positive pregnant woman successfully delivered a baby boy through a caesarean section at Jashore General Hospital last evening.

The operation, held at the hospital's labour operation theatre (OT), began at 10:30am and concluded in the evening.

Following the procedure, the OT has been closed for 48 hours to allow thorough disinfection, hospital sources confirmed.

The woman has been kept in isolation after the surgery.

The procedure was performed by a seven-member medical team led by Jasmin Sultana, consultant at the hospital's gynecology department.

The C-section had initially been scheduled for May 28 but was postponed due to complications. Despite the associated risks, health authorities proceeded with the surgery on humanitarian grounds.

"After such operations, the OT must be kept closed for 48 to 72 hours for proper sterilisation," said Jasmin Sultana.

"In cases involving HIV-positive patients, extreme caution is required while handling blood and bodily fluids, which must be thoroughly decontaminated to eliminate any viral presence," she added.

Jashore's Deputy Civil Surgeon Nazmus Sadiq Russell said, "The C-section has been completed successfully, and the mother has given birth to a healthy baby boy. Though the operation carried risks for the medical team, there is no reason for concern among other patients receiving treatment in the hospital."

Earlier, health officials in Jashore expressed concern over the high-risk nature of the surgery but assured the public that all necessary precautions were taken to ensure the safety of both the patient and hospital staff.

The number of HIV/AIDS cases of Jashore has been reportedly rising, with health officials confirming seven new infections among pregnant women in five months since January, raising serious public health concerns.

Hospital sources say that at least 250 people are currently living with HIV in the district.

However, medical experts believe the actual number may be significantly higher due to undiagnosed cases.