Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Despite Last-Minute Changes, Senate Bill Deals Big Blow to Renewable Energy

11 hours ago

Trump-Backed Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Passes US Senate

12 hours ago

Homeland Security Secretary Noem Says CNN May Be Prosecuted Over Report on Migration App

13 hours ago

Israeli Officials to Hold Ceasefire Talks in Washington Amid Military Escalation in Gaza

14 hours ago

Trump Escalates Feud With Musk, Threatens Tesla, SpaceX Support

14 hours ago

Musk Vows to Punish Lawmakers Who Back Trump’s Spending Bill

1 day ago

Will Valadao Spoil Trump’s Plan for July 4th ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Signing?

1 day ago

Shaver Lake and Reedley 4th of July Shows Are Wednesday. Who Else Is Celebrating?

1 day ago
Bakersfield Doctors Sued for Refusing to Treat HIV Patient
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 4 years ago on
January 14, 2021

Share

The Justice Department sued two Bakersfield doctors on Thursday for refusing to provide routine medical care to a patient with HIV.

Portrait of Acting Assistant Attorney General John Daukas

“Medical providers have a legal obligation under the ADA to provide individuals with HIV equal access to healthcare services, and are in the best position to ensure all involved are adequately protected.” — John Daukas, acting assistant attorney general, Civil Rights Division

“The Justice Department continues to work to end discriminatory and stigmatizing treatment of people with HIV based on unfounded fears and stereotypes,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Daukas for the Civil Rights Division in a news release.

“Medical providers have a legal obligation under the ADA to provide individuals with HIV equal access to healthcare services, and are in the best position to ensure all involved are adequately protected.”

The federal lawsuits allege that Dr. Chibuike Anucha, MD, PC, and Dr. Umaima Jamaluddin, MD, in unconnected incidents, refused to provide routine OB/GYN care to a patient due to the patient’s HIV status.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that “HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).”

Both Doctors Declined to Perform Pap Smears

According to the complaint against Dr. Jamaluddin, the doctor refused to allow the patient to make an appointment for preventative care, including a Pap smear, when she learned of the patient’s HIV status.

The complaint against Dr. Anucha claims that he told the patient she needed a Pap smear. However, the doctor said he would not perform it because he does not treat high-risk patients.

The lawsuit alleges that a Pap smear is a routine medical procedure and that an individual with HIV needn’t be referred to a specialist for a Pap smear.

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits public accommodations, including doctors or other professional offices of healthcare providers, from discriminating against people with disabilities, including those with HIV.

Read the Complaints

The complaint against Dr. Anucha is at this link. The complaint against Dr. Jamaluddin is at this link.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Israel Has Agreed to Conditions to Finalize 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Man Arrested for Suspected Arson Hours After Separate Wildfire

DON'T MISS

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

DON'T MISS

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

DON'T MISS

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

DON'T MISS

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Wildfire Prompts Advisory in Three Rivers Area

DON'T MISS

O’Brien Launches Fresno County Schools Chief Campaign by Handing Out ‘Homework’

UP NEXT

Fresno County Man Arrested for Suspected Arson Hours After Separate Wildfire

UP NEXT

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

UP NEXT

Tulare County Wildfire Prompts Advisory in Three Rivers Area

UP NEXT

The Chainsmokers to Headline Dog Daze Festival at Chukchansi Park

UP NEXT

Sex Abuse Scandal Forces Fresno’s Catholic Diocese to Declare Bankruptcy

UP NEXT

California Republicans Send Message to Trump: Deport Criminals, Not Our Vital Workers

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest Intoxicated Employee Following Morning Disturbance

UP NEXT

Fresno Police, CHP Crack Down on Impaired Driving for July 4th

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Amaury Fernandez

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

6 hours ago

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

6 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

6 hours ago

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

6 hours ago

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

7 hours ago

Tulare County Wildfire Prompts Advisory in Three Rivers Area

7 hours ago

O’Brien Launches Fresno County Schools Chief Campaign by Handing Out ‘Homework’

7 hours ago

Trump Says US Could Reach Trade Deal With India, Casts Doubt on Deal With Japan

7 hours ago

Jury Reaches Verdict on Some Counts at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

7 hours ago

How Wimbledon Is Tackling Its Hottest Opening on Record

8 hours ago

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

LOS ANGELES — The Trump administration released about 150 National Guard troops on Tuesday in the first pullback since it dispatched a milit...

4 hours ago

4 hours ago

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

An Israeli military convoy manoeuvres near the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, July 1, 2025. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
5 hours ago

Trump Says Israel Has Agreed to Conditions to Finalize 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire

Abel Joel Garcia Zarate, 39, of Biola, was arrested Sunday, June, 30, 2025, in Madera County on suspicion of starting a wildfire just hours after crews responded to a separate blaze sparked by farm equipment. (Madera County SO)
5 hours ago

Fresno County Man Arrested for Suspected Arson Hours After Separate Wildfire

6 hours ago

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

An aerial view of the Iranian shores and the island of Qeshm in the strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERSStringerFile Photo
6 hours ago

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

6 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

Lara Trump looks on during Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump's rally, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2024. (Reuters File)
6 hours ago

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

A Google logo is seen at a company research facility in Mountain View, California, U.S., May 13, 2025. (Reuters File)
7 hours ago

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend