At the MSF Advanced HIV Care Centre at Guru Gobind Singh Hospital in Patna, Bihar, doctors work every day to support patients facing some of the most severe complications linked to advanced HIV disease. For many patients arriving at the centre, access to timely diagnosis and treatment has been delayed by stigma, limited healthcare access, financial hardship, or fear—often leaving them critically ill by the time they reach care.
This National Doctors’ Day, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) recognises the dedication of the medical teams providing holistic care to people living with advanced HIV in Bihar.
Working in partnership with the Bihar State Health Mission and the Bihar State Department of Health and Family Welfare, the MSF-supported centre provides specialised treatment for opportunistic infections alongside nutritional, mental health, and psychosocial support. Patients treated at the centre often require intensive and long-term care, as advanced HIV disease remains associated with high mortality risks when treatment is delayed.
Among the doctors serving at the centre is Dr Rajesh, who joined MSF in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been caring for patients with advanced HIV in Patna. He describes the work as both medically and emotionally demanding, with many patients arriving in critical condition after navigating complex social and cultural barriers to care.
Despite these challenges, recovery is possible with timely and comprehensive treatment. MSF teams have cared for patients with severe opportunistic infections, including people who arrived unable to walk, severely malnourished children, and pregnant women in critical condition. Many patients who once faced life-threatening illness have been able to recover, return home, and rebuild their lives.
For MSF doctors in Patna, the work extends beyond treating disease. It also means helping patients navigate stigma, regain confidence, and access care with dignity.
As MSF marks National Doctors’Day, the organisation recognises the commitment of healthcare workers in Patna and across India who continue to provide compassionate care to people facing complex and often overlooked health challenges.
