Kendrapara, June 20: A woman here has wrongly been listed as AIDS infected, sparking off a row.

Though the widow was tested HIV negative, she figures in the list of AIDS patients on official records.

The 40-year-old from Rajnagar had to experience the worst nightmare of her life following the goof up.

She had lost her spouse to AIDS five years ago, but she and her two sons are not infected. “I was shattered after my husband died of AIDS. I am equally upset as I am listed as an AIDS patient. Those who have done so should realise that such patients suffer discrimination,” she said.

Medical officer of Rajnagar Community Health Centre Bhakti Deepak Pattnaik said: “The woman is not infected. Though her husband died of AIDS, she and her two children tested negative. The block employees should be careful while recording such information.”

Officials of Rajnagar block had earlier found themselves in a tight spot for revealing the identity of HIV-AIDS carriers. They have recently released the list of 49 beneficiaries for free housing scheme under the Mo Kudia Jojana. The list contained among others the name of six HIV-AIDS carriers. The list was displayed for public on the notice board.

An HIV patient has every right to conceal his or her diseased status because of the stigma and discrimination attached to it. Thus, it is arbitrary and unethical to reveal the identity of such infected persons, said a rights activist.

“An HIV-positive person can suppress identity and use a pseudonym in order to protect him or her from discrimination. The Supreme Court has also ruled in favour of it,” said Biraja Prasad Pati, an activist involved in the AIDS eradication programme.