Ranchi — Jharkhand’s Health Department has launched an inquiry after several thalassemia-affected children at Chaibasa Sadar Hospital in West Singhbhum tested HIV-positive following blood transfusions — an incident that has provoked widespread anger and exposed serious flaws in the state’s medical system.
A six-member probe panel, headed by Dr. Neha Arora, Special Secretary of the department, will review blood collection, screening, and transfusion procedures at the hospital. Members include senior officials from health services, medical education, RIMS, and the Drug Control Directorate. The committee must submit its report within a week.
Following the revelation, CM Hemant Soren suspended Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushanto Kumar Majhi and described the episode as “deeply distressing and intolerable.” The Jharkhand High Court, taking suo motu cognisance, also ordered an independent inspection led by Dr. Dinesh Kumar.
Early findings reveal major lapses in blood screening and documentation, resulting in at least seven thalassemia children being exposed to HIV. The government has promised ₹2 lakh compensation for each affected family and state-sponsored treatment for all infected children.
In a broader move, the Health Department has directed a statewide audit of every blood bank, to be completed within five days.
With inputs from IANS