Jharkhand shock: 7-year-old tests HIV positive, family accuses blood bank of providing contaminated blood; probe underway

NEW DELHI: A seven-year-old thalassemia patient in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, was tested HIV-positive, prompting an investigation into allegations that the local blood bank transfused contaminated blood .

The matter came to light on Friday after the child’s family accused the blood bank of providing infected blood. Since the child began treatment, around 25 units of blood had been transfused.

A five-member team from Ranchi visited Chaibasa , the district headquarters, on Saturday to investigate the allegations, district civil Surgeon Dr Sushanto Majhee told PTI. As part of the probe, the team visited Sadar Hospital and the Chaibasa blood bank .

Following the allegation, a three-member local committee headed by Dr Minu, district reproductive and child health (DRCH) officer, was also formed to investigate. The committee is expected to submit its report soon after completing the inquiry.

Dr Majhee added that blood donors whose samples were used for the child’s transfusions would be examined before reaching any conclusion. “The boy, who hails from a rural area under Manjhari police station limits, has tested HIV-positive. However, it would be premature to state that the infection resulted from blood supplied by the bank,” Majhee said.

He noted that HIV infection could also occur due to other factors, including exposure to contaminated needles.