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Trial of Kazakh HIV medics ends Trial of Kazakh HIV medics ends
(about 7 hours later)
In Kazakhstan, a judge has begun reading the verdict in the trial of 21 medical workers accused of causing an HIV outbreak among children.In Kazakhstan, a judge has begun reading the verdict in the trial of 21 medical workers accused of causing an HIV outbreak among children.
The prosecution says their malpractice led to the deaths of nine babies and the infection of 119 other children.The prosecution says their malpractice led to the deaths of nine babies and the infection of 119 other children.
The virus was first found in hospitals in the south of the country last year. The virus was found in hospitals in the south of the country last year.
For eight hours on Tuesday the judge read through the verdict, yet even by the end of the day he was only halfway through his pile of legal paperwork.For eight hours on Tuesday the judge read through the verdict, yet even by the end of the day he was only halfway through his pile of legal paperwork.
Most of the 119 children infected with the virus after receiving treatment in local hospitals were babies.Most of the 119 children infected with the virus after receiving treatment in local hospitals were babies.
Dysfunctional systemDysfunctional system
As the judge leafed through hundreds of pages of verdict papers, the doctors, their heads lowered, listened in the centre of the crowded and stuffy courtroom.As the judge leafed through hundreds of pages of verdict papers, the doctors, their heads lowered, listened in the centre of the crowded and stuffy courtroom.
They have denied charges against them including corruption, malpractice and illegal sale of donor blood.They have denied charges against them including corruption, malpractice and illegal sale of donor blood.
Across from the defendants, some of the parents of the victims stood crowded into a corner.Across from the defendants, some of the parents of the victims stood crowded into a corner.
"Death doctors," one mother whispered during the proceedings."Death doctors," one mother whispered during the proceedings.
Like most parents, she comes from an impoverished village outside Shymkent and she told me she does not know where she will get the money to raise her HIV-positive son.Like most parents, she comes from an impoverished village outside Shymkent and she told me she does not know where she will get the money to raise her HIV-positive son.
The boy, who is now aged two, contracted the virus after receiving a blood transfusion prescribed to treat pneumonia.The boy, who is now aged two, contracted the virus after receiving a blood transfusion prescribed to treat pneumonia.
The investigation later showed he did not need the procedure.The investigation later showed he did not need the procedure.
Other parents tell a similar story.Other parents tell a similar story.
Because so many children had unnecessary and often multiple blood transfusions, the prosecutors alleged that the doctors were selling blood to make money.Because so many children had unnecessary and often multiple blood transfusions, the prosecutors alleged that the doctors were selling blood to make money.
As Shymkent awaits the verdict, new cases continue to emerge in an outbreak that has not only ruined lives but also revealed a healthcare system that is dysfunctional and corrupt.As Shymkent awaits the verdict, new cases continue to emerge in an outbreak that has not only ruined lives but also revealed a healthcare system that is dysfunctional and corrupt.