Anantapur: Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr David Raju allegedly tried to inject Dr L. Lakshmi Prasad, the superintendent of Proddatur Hospital, with HIV positive blood on Friday. The superintendent managed to escape the attack, but the infected blood soiled his shirt.

According to sources, the orthopaedic surgeon and the hospital superintendent had their differences. Dr Raju felt insulted due to alleged harassment by the superintendent. Having developed a grudge against him, the surgeon reportedly hatched a plan to punish the superintendent. He went to the special ward for HIV patients, which is located on the top floor of the hospital, and collected blood from an HIV positive patient in a syringe. He threw away the needle and carried the syringe with him to the ground floor, where the superintendent was allotting duties to security guards and other staff members.

Dr Raju, while shouting at the superintendent, covertly tried to sprinkle the blood on him. An alert Dr Prasad managed to escape the attack. But his shirt was reportedly soiled with the infected blood.

The superintendent informed the higher authorities and police were rushed the spot. Dr Jayarajan, the District Coordinator of Hospital Services (DCHS), spoke to both doctors. Dr David Raju told him that despite discharging his duties properly, he was being harassed by the superintendent.

The superintendent made a representation to the district authorities, asking for action to be initiated against the orthopaedic surgeon. After a three-hour-long negotiation, the district authorities reportedly succeeded in convincing the superintendent not to file a complaint as it would tarnish the hospital’s image. Dr David Raju was asked to take a long leave of absence.

Shiva Krishna, the leader of the hospital staff union, staged a protest and demanded action against Dr Raju. He called off the protest after being convinced by the district authorities and Badvel Srinivasulu Reddy, the Chairman of the Hospital Committee.

DCHS Dr Jayarajan told this newspaper that a report would be drawn up against orthopaedic surgeon Dr David Raju and sent to the Commissioner for action to be taken. “We will send a detailed report to the higher authorities for the initiation of action against him,” he said.

When contacted, the Proddatur Urban Police said that they had not received any complaint with regard to the issue.