As many as five children got HIV in Madhya Pradesh's Satna after they were administered HIV-infected blood during transfusions at government facilities.
The infected blood was administered as part of a life-saving treatment for the children suffering from thalassemia, highlighting gross negligence. The parents of one of the children were also affected.
The district-level inquiry in the matter has confirmed that the children acquired HIV from the infected blood. As part of the action, the Department of Public Health and Family Welfare has suspended the blood bank in charge and two lab technicians.
The department has also issued a showcase notice to Dr Manoj Shukla, the former Civil Surgeon of Satna district hospital. He has been asked to give a written explanation and warned of strict action in case of unsatisfactory response.
The action against the blood bank in-charge Dr Devendra Patel, and lab technicians Ram Bhai Tripathi and Nandlal Pandey, was taken based on the preliminary report of a committee formed to investigate the case of transfusion of infected blood in Satna, the official said.
On December 16, it was revealed that six children suffering from thalassemia at Satna District Hospital had contracted the incurable disease after receiving HIV-infected blood. The parents of one of the children were also affected.
According to a report by NDTV, the children were dependent on regular blood transfusions for their survival and were given a total of 189 units of blood, that was sources from three blood banks. The aforementioned report stated that the children were exposed to the blood of over 150 donors.
All these cases occurred between January and May, and all of them are being treated according to HIV protocols.
(With PTI Inputs)