Chapter 1064



Once her results were in, word spread quickly that Belinda had been confirmed to be HIV positive.

The hospital was abuzz with the news.

“Have you heard? Dr. Belinda Wright from the Cardiac Surgery Department has tested positive for HIV after an occupational exposure.”

“Yes. It’s the talk of the entire hospital!”

“It’s really unfortunate. We’ve had similar incidents here, but all the previous cases involving our staff returned negative results. And the resident doctor who was exposed along with Dr. Wright tested negative, too. Dr. Wright is just so unlucky…”

“Truly. How could this happen?”

In the president’s office, the mood was somber.

Both the president and Caiden had dark expressions on their faces, with Caiden particularly affected by the matter.

He couldn’t shake off a feeling of guilt—if he hadn’t insisted on bringing Belinda to the Grand Plains General Hospital in the first place, would she have been spared this fate?

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” the president said.

The door opened, and Turner entered.

“Dr. Ortiz, what brings you here?” the president asked.

Turner said, “I need to discuss something concerning Dr. Wright from our department.”

At this, the president’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “What is it you need to discuss?”

After clearing his throat, Turner spoke. “Belinda was on a 28-day course of anti-HIV medication following a prior occupational exposure. Today, her blood test results confirmed that she is HIV-positive.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, then added, “Given this situation, shouldn’t our hospital take some action?”

The director of the hospital remained silent, and Caiden’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Turner. “Take action? Dr. Ortiz, what kind of action are you suggesting?”

Turner didn’t hesitate. “While it’s true that a doctor with HIV doesn’t necessarily have to leave the medical field, the risks are significant. Most of our patients at the Grand Plains General Hospital are wealthy or influential individuals. If word gets out that one of our doctors is HIV-positive, how do you think they’ll react? Who would feel comfortable coming here for treatment?”

He glanced at the director, then continued, “We, as doctors, understand the transmission routes of HIV—we know it’s not spread through casual contact. But patients don’t always see it that way. They have concerns, prejudices. If Belinda stayed here as a doctor, her colleagues would have to be extra careful. Wouldn’t they have some issues with this? Given all this, I believe we shouldn’t keep Belinda in our hospital anymore.”

Caiden’s anger flared, his veins visibly pulsing at his temples.

He turned to Turner, his voice laced with cold mockery. “So, Dr. Ortiz, are you openly discriminating against people with HIV?”

Turner quickly backtracked, his tone defensive. “Mr. Rodgers, don’t twist my words! I never said anything like that. I was just stating the facts—”

Caiden cut him off sharply, saying, “Which law or regulation in Askya prohibits HIV-positive individuals from working as doctors? According to the law, doctors with HIV can continue to practice as long as their health allows. They simply need to take necessary precautions and undergo regular evaluations by professional medical institutions. And—”

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