A tuberculosis patient receiving treatment at the Scientific Research Institute of Lung Diseases in Baku has been discharged home, despite family objections. According to relatives of Anatoli Lopatin, his condition suddenly worsened and he was admitted to the Narimanov Medical Center in critical condition.
After examination, he was urgently transferred to the intensive care unit of the Lung Institute, where he was diagnosed with open pulmonary tuberculosis. After a month in the ICU, he was moved to an open TB ward. This morning, a doctor named Polad informed the patient that he was being released, even though he had not fully recovered.
Relatives protested, but the doctor ignored them. They argue that releasing an open TB patient is unacceptable, as the disease spreads through air, sputum, urine, and contaminated objects. "We told the doctor that this man will infect his family and others on public transport, but he didn't listen," they said.
Chief physician Gulzar Aliyeva confirmed the discharge, stating: "The patient arrived in critical condition and was stabilized after a month. According to global practice, after one month, patients continue treatment at home. Tuberculosis is curable within six months. The relatives refuse to care for him, and we cannot keep him longer."
