Rao (28) broke both his thigh bones when he fell off a scooter two months ago. But when the hospital found out that Rao was HIV positive, they refused to treat him, said Rao. After pleading with several hospitals there, Rao's family finally brought him to the city and admitted him to JJ around 10 days ago.

Dr Sanjay Jagtap, the orthopaedic surgeon who led the operation team, evinced his surprise that the Hyderabad doctors had been so scared of the HIV infection that they did not even fix an external splint in Rao's thighs, which could have reduced his pain.

On Tuesday, the doctors operated on Rao's right thigh, the surgeon said. Since the patient is HIV positive, the operating team, whichcomprised medical officer Dr S Hashmi and staff nurse Shehnaz Saudagar, donned special gear consisting of plastic gown, mask, cap, gloves and goggles, he said. Yet, Jagtap said his gloves were ripped by an edge of the broken thigh bone that he was trying to set right. The operation on the left leg is likely to be taken up next week.

Smiling from his cot in the orthopaedic ward, Rao thanked the doctors for conducting the operation. Patients cannot be faulted if a strike is in progress, held JJ Hospital dean Dr AC Mohanty, adding that it was the hospital's duty to provide patients treatment. Even in this case, the operation was taken on an emergency basis so that he did not have to suffer the pain for long, he said.

All departments at JJ hospital have been asked to submit their requirements in terms of specialist doctors, revealed Mohanty. ``As far as possible, no patient who requires admission and treatment will be allowed to go back without getting proper attention,'' he claimed.