In July 2026, the Defender of Equality, Miha Lobnik, once again confirmed the presence of discrimination against a person living with HIV during their visit to a dental clinic at the Health Centre Maribor. This conclusion was reached after a renewed investigation into how the patient was treated, following instructions from the administrative court. The case dates back to 2017 when the HIV-positive individual visited the on-call dentist at the Health Centre (ZD) Maribor to collect a referral for oral surgery. Initially, the Defender of Equality had concluded in September 2019 that there had been discriminatory treatment, but the health centre challenged this decision. As a result, the administrative court ordered a new review, which included obtaining an expert opinion.
During the renewed process, it was found that the nurse’s behavior towards the patient was inappropriate. According to reports, the nurse unnecessarily disclosed the patient's medical condition in the waiting room, put on protective gloves while handling the patient's health card due to their medical status, and behaved in an overly cautious manner. These actions were witnessed by other patients and further humiliated the individual, adding to the sense of indignity they experienced.
The expert in infectious diseases confirmed that the nurse's conduct was not professionally justified. He noted that there was no risk of infection transmission in this scenario, making additional protective measures and separate scheduling of the patient unjustified. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the Health Centre Maribor still has outdated internal rules regarding the treatment of individuals with contagious diseases. This discovery prompted the Defender of Equality to initiate a new procedure to assess potential discrimination and to call upon the health inspectorate to take action.
Miha Lobnik emphasized that this case highlights the continued existence of prejudices within healthcare systems, even embedded in formal protocols without any professional basis. He stated that such practices are unacceptable and require systemic changes to ensure equal treatment for all patients. His concerns align with recent studies presented by the National Institute of Public Health, which indicate that people living with HIV can still face inadequate and even degrading treatment in healthcare settings due to their medical conditions.
The situation underscores broader issues surrounding the treatment of individuals with HIV in Slovenia. Despite legal protections against discrimination, instances where prejudice influences medical care persist. The Defender of Equality has called for increased oversight and reform to address these disparities. In response to the findings, the health inspectorate is being urged to intervene and ensure that all patients receive equitable treatment, regardless of their health status. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in eliminating stigma and ensuring fair access to healthcare services for everyone.
The renewed investigation also brought attention to the need for updated policies within healthcare institutions. Outdated guidelines that may inadvertently promote discriminatory practices must be reviewed and revised. Training programs for healthcare professionals could help reduce biases and improve patient interactions. It remains to be seen whether the Health Centre Maribor will implement necessary changes based on the findings and recommendations from the Defender of Equality and the health inspectorate. Until then, the case continues to highlight the importance of vigilance in protecting the rights of all individuals seeking medical care.
3 reports
RTV Slovenija (MMC)State / PublicLeftFactual 95Objective 852 days agoA Slovenian advocacy group for equality, Miha Lobnik, has confirmed discriminatory treatment against an HIV-positive patient during a dental visit at Zdravstveni dom Maribor. The incident occurred in 2017 when the patient sought an appointment for oral surgery. After initial review in 2019, the case was reopened by the administrative court, requiring additional expert opinion. The renewed process revealed that the hospital still applies outdated rules regarding the care of people with infectious diseases. An infectious disease specialist confirmed the nurse’s actions were inappropriate, as they did not consider the risk of virus transmission. The hospital has been called out for continuing to enforce these outdated protocols despite lacking scientific basis. Lobnik has now requested action from the health inspectorate to ensure equal treatment for all patients.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the issue as a systemic failure within healthcare institutions to uphold equality and human rights, aligning with progressive values. It emphasizes the persistence of outdated policies and the need for institutional accountability, which reflects a left-leaning perspective. The ph
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 85): The article provides detailed information about the case, including dates, actions taken by the nurse, and expert opinions. It accurately reports the findings of the equality advocate and the legal process. However, some phrasing like 'povsem po nepotrebnem' may imply judgment.
N1 SlovenijaIndependentLeftFactual 93Objective 882 days agoA representative of the Principle of Equality, Miha Lobnik, has once again confirmed that a nurse at the Maribor Health Center discriminated against a patient infected with the HIV virus during a visit to the emergency dentist in 2017. The incident was initially reviewed in September 2019 but had to be re-examined by the administrative court, which required obtaining an expert opinion. The expert concluded that the nurse’s behavior was inappropriate because there was no risk of virus transmission, and therefore, the refusal to treat the patient at the end of the workday and the use of protective gloves upon reception were not professionally justified. It was also revealed that the health center still uses outdated rules regarding the treatment of people with infectious diseases. As a result, the Principle of Equality has initiated a new discrimination investigation against the institution and will call on the health inspectorate to take action.
Bias read (Left): The article highlights systemic discrimination against individuals living with HIV within the healthcare system, emphasizing the need for equality and calling for institutional reform. The framing emphasizes the violation of human rights and the necessity for corrective measures, aligning with left-
Why these scores (Factual 93 · Objective 88): This article aligns closely with the others, presenting the facts clearly and citing the legal proceedings and expert opinion. The tone remains mostly neutral but includes some descriptive language that slightly affects objectivity.
Maribor24IndependentLeftFactual 92Objective 822 days agoAn individual living with HIV reported receiving discriminatory treatment at the Maribor Health Home Dr. Adolf Drolca in 2017. During a visit to a on-call dentist, a medical nurse disclosed the patient’s health condition, directed them to return later, and wore protective gloves upon handling their medical card—all witnessed by other patients, further humiliating the individual. The case was initially reviewed by the Advocate for Equality in 2019, but the health facility disputed the findings. The court returned the case for re-examination and ordered the procurement of an expert opinion. In the renewed process, an infectious disease specialist confirmed that the nurse’s actions were not professionally justified, as there was no risk of infection transmission. The review also revealed that the health facility still has outdated internal policies regarding the care of individuals with contagious diseases. The advocate called for systemic changes to ensure equal treatment for all patients, highlighting persistent biases within the healthcare system.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the issue as a systemic failure within the healthcare system, emphasizing institutional discrimination and calls for structural reform. While the incident itself is a specific case, the broader implications relate to equality rights and institutional bias—themes often associated с
Why these scores (Factual 92 · Objective 82): The article presents the facts accurately, including the timeline and expert evaluation. However, phrases such as 'ponižujoče obravnave' introduce a more emotionally charged tone, affecting overall objectivity.
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