In a disturbing incident of alleged medical negligence in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, five children have tested HIV-positive. All the affected children are Thalassemia patients, and the family of a seven-year-old claims that the child received HIV-infected blood from the local blood bank. Following the allegations, a five-member medical team from Ranchi has been dispatched to investigate the matter.
Government Investigation Launched
The Jharkhand government has constituted a special medical team to determine how contaminated blood reached the children. Officials reported that approximately 25 units of blood had been transfused since the child began visiting the blood bank.
District Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushanto Majhee confirmed that the child had tested positive for HIV over a week ago. However, he noted that “HIV infection could also occur due to other factors, including exposure to contaminated needles.”
Inspection of Blood Bank and Hospital Facilities
The investigation team, led by Dr. Dinesh Kumar, Director of Health Services, Jharkhand, visited the blood bank at Sadar Hospital and the pediatric intensive care ward. They collected information from all children receiving treatment. Dr. Kumar revealed that the initial findings showed some irregularities in the blood bank’s operations and instructed officials to rectify them.
He stated, “Initial investigation indicates that contaminated blood was transfused to a Thalassemia patient. Some discrepancies were detected in the blood bank during the probe, and the officials concerned have been directed to resolve them.”
Current Statistics and Team Members
At present, West Singhbhum district reports 515 HIV-positive cases and has 56 Thalassemia patients.
The probe team comprises Dr. Shipra Das, Dr. S.S. Paswan, Dr. Bhagat, District Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushanto Majhee, Dr. Shivcharan Hansda, and Dr. Minu Kumari, working under the leadership of Dr. Dinesh Kumar.
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