In the incident in Chaibasa (in West Singhbhum district), Jharkhand where five children with thalassaemia have tested HIV-positive after receiving blood transfusions:
A seven-year-old thalassaemia patient in Chaibasa tested HIV-positive following a blood transfusion.
A medical team discovered four more children in the same hospital’s blood-transfusion circuit also HIV-positive, bringing the total to five minors. The alleged source: the blood bank at Sadar Hospital, Chaibasa (or the blood-bank attached thereto) where regular transfusions for thalassaemia patients are done.
Initial probe found discrepancies and possible lapses in the blood bank’s functioning (testing, records, safety protocols).
Hemant Soren (Chief Minister of Jharkhand) ordered the suspension of the district civil surgeon and other officials in West Singbhhum district. Financial relief: the state government announced ₹-2 lakh for each affected child’s family, and stated that full treatment cost will be borne by the government.
A full audit of all blood banks in Jharkhand has been ordered, with special attention to prevent such lapses.
Investigation is ongoing: While the transfused blood is suspected to be the infection source, officials haven’t yet ruled out other possibilities (e.g., contaminated needles, other exposures) entirely. The case brings to light serious concerns about how blood banks operate: screening, storage, documentation, traceability.
It also underscores the vulnerability of thalassaemia patients, who undergo multiple transfusions and thus depend on safe blood practices.
As per media source.
