Kyrgyz president orders help for children infected with HIV due to apparent negligence

Mon, May 12 09:08 PM

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) _ The Kyrgyz president has provided aid to scores of children who contracted HIV due to apparent negligence at local hospitals in the impoverished ex-Soviet nation. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's office said Monday he ordered a one-time payment of US$14,600 (9,460) to each of the children affected.

Health authorities say 72 children have been infected with HIV in the two southern Kyrgyz hospitals and 16 mothers also contracted the virus. The scandal has rattled the impoverished ex-Soviet republic in Central Asia.

Charges were filed earlier this year against 14 medical personnel accused of negligence in administering injections and blood transfusions. Their trial is set to start this week.

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