A grave concern has emerged from Chaibasa, Jharkhand, where five children diagnosed with thalassemia have contracted HIV after receiving blood transfusions. This devastating incident has triggered a swift response from the state government, leading to a comprehensive investigation and the suspension of multiple officials. Jharkhand’s Health Minister, Irfan Ansari, has described the situation as ‘extremely serious,’ highlighting the potential for wider implications if proper procedures were not followed.
The issue first came to the minister’s attention two days prior, prompting an immediate order for a high-level inquiry. Preliminary findings have already indicated a ‘preliminary confirmation of HIV infection’ in one of the affected children. In a decisive move, the Civil Surgeon of Chaibasa, the doctor overseeing the HIV unit at Sadar Hospital, and the responsible technician have been suspended with immediate effect.
How Did This Happen?
The alarming discovery unfolded after the family of a 7-year-old child alleged that an HIV-infected blood unit was transfused at a local blood bank in Chaibasa. This led to the formation of a medical team to investigate the source of contamination. During this investigation, four more children, all suffering from thalassemia, were found to be HIV-positive in the same town.
Officials have reported that the first child to test positive had received approximately 25 units of blood since starting treatment at the blood bank. It is understood that this child had tested positive for HIV over a week ago. Authorities are also considering other potential causes for HIV infection, such as exposure through contaminated needles.
Government’s Response and Support
In response to the unfolding crisis, Chief Minister Hemant Soren has mandated a statewide audit of all blood banks, with reports to be submitted within five days. He emphasized that laxity in healthcare processes will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The Chief Minister has also announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh for each affected family and assured free treatment for the infected children. State Health Minister Irfan Ansari further commented that HIV infection can sometimes be undetectable, particularly if blood is collected during the ‘window period,’ underscoring the complexity of such cases.
The report also includes a definition of Thalassemia from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, describing it as an inherited blood disorder that occurs when the body does not produce enough hemoglobin, affecting the proper function and lifespan of red blood cells.