Surgeons in a hospital in Israel were stuck with a needle during a surgery. Two doctors were stuck during the procedure. 48 hours later they learned the patient they were operating on has AIDS. The doctors were not informed but overheard a conversation.

They requested the prophylactic treatment that may be given up to 36 hours following feared infection, a treatment that carries a number of side effects during the two-month therapy.

Making things worse, they later learned the drugs given to them were outdated, from the 1990s. When the surgeons confronted officials regarding the use of outdated drugs they were told that the Health Ministry basket of covered meds only permit giving these expensive medications to patients, not doctors, hence the outdated drugs. B’chasdei Hashem despite it all the doctors learned that they did not contract the illness.

Israeli law prohibits informing doctors that a patient is infected with AIDS. Doctors may be informed a patient carries any other contagious illness with the exception of AIDS.

When asked to comment, Health Ministry officials explain “doctors must assume any and all patients have AIDS and act accordingly”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)