THE Government last night accepted liability for the 23 year-old woman who contracted HIV/AIDS while under hospital care, but said it was not liable for a similar incident involving a 13 year-old boy, claiming he had a “bleeding disorder from birth”.

“The civil suit for this young man is before the court since the Government does not accept liability for his contracting HIV and the attorney-general has filed a defence,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement last night.

The health ministry, along with the Blood Bank, Kingston Public Hospital and the Bustamante Children Hospital — have beenn sued by both victims who are represented by attorney-at-law, Antonette Haughton-Cardenas.

Last night, the ministry said it had written Cardenas, stating its acceptance of the case involving the young woman, but said it was yet to receive documents to support the sum being claimed — a requirement in civil suits.

“Mrs Haughton-Cardenas has admitted publicly that this is yet to be done and the attorney-general is awaiting these documents,” it said.

In the case of the 13 year-old boy, the ministry said since it has denied liability, Cardenas would be required to apply for a date for a court hearing and chided the lawyer for trying the case “in the public domain”.

“While this may be a ruse to stir public sympathy, it does not draw the lawsuit any closer to resolution,” said the health ministry.

The boy, the ministry said, has had a bleeding disorder from birth and has been in the care of the public health services since childhood.

“He has received numerous blood transfusions [over 100],” it said. “He has been provided with special services at the Bustamante Hospital for Children and was referred to a specialist at the University Hospital of the West Indies for the treatment of his HIV condition and his ongoing care.”

It added that last June, special arrangements were made to import cryoprecipitate to facilitate a brain biopsy for the boy who, like the young woman, is receiving continued treatment for the disease including anti-retroviral drug at a cost of $23,000 per month per patient.

“Our actions show that in fact special efforts have been made to provide for his continued care,” the ministry said, noting that it will do whatever is necessary to see the quick settlement of both civil suits.