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five children victims Thalassemia And three donors have tested positive hiv after blood transfusion A shocking case of medical negligence has come to light in the government blood bank.
Officer in East Indian state Jharkhand He has ordered a comprehensive audit of blood banks, describing it as an “extremely serious public health failure”.
The infection was detected at a government hospital in the remote village of Chaibasa, about 150 km from state capital Ranchi, leading to the suspension of key medical officials.
The scam came to light when the family of a seven-year-old boy filed a negligence complaint against the blood bank of Chaibasa Sadar Hospital on October 18, claiming that the child was found to be HIV positive after receiving multiple blood transfusions on a regular basis.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the boy was one of at least five children who tested positive for the virus after receiving a blood transfusion at a blood bank. All of them were suffering from Thalassemia.
Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari said he ordered an immediate investigation.
“The issue of possible HIV infection through blood transfusion in children suffering from thalassemia is extremely serious,” Mr Ansari said earlier this week.
Tests revealed that at least four people who donated blood at the hospital in 2024-25 were HIV positive, Mr Ansari said. Indian Express On Thursday.
Blood samples of 259 donors involved in thalassemia transfusion were being tested at the hospital. Of the 44 samples tested so far, four were positive.
Calling it a “serious lapse”, the minister said the health department is now tracing all the donors and verifying the transfusion chain.
Mr Ansari told the newspaper, “The matter is serious and investigation is underway. If anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken within a month.” “Thalassemia patients cannot survive without regular blood transfusions. So, at any cost, they get blood, but this does not eliminate negligence. The system should be foolproof.”
State Chief Minister Heman Soren described the infection as an “extremely painful” incident.
“The health department should audit all the blood banks in the state and submit the report within five days,” he said on Twitter.
Poor health care system will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The chief minister said the state government would provide financial assistance of Rs 200,000 (£1,718) to the families of each affected child for their treatment.
He said at least five officers have been suspended.
The Jharkhand High Court, which took suo motu cognizance of the case last week, has sought a comprehensive report from the state health secretary.
Federal Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi described the incident as “shameful” and a “serious failure of the healthcare system”, and called for nationwide vigilance.
As of Friday, no arrests had been made, but authorities vowed “strict action” against those found guilty.