Five Children Aged 3 to 15 Test Positive for HIV
In India, a series of cases have emerged in which children and adolescents were diagnosed with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) after receiving transfusions of contaminated blood. Authorities have launched an investigation and initiated disciplinary action against the medical staff involved.
According to local media reports, including the BBC, NDTV, and the Times of India on December 20 (local time), the government of Madhya Pradesh in central India has formed an investigative committee to determine the cause after five children aged 3 to 15 recently tested positive for HIV.
All of the affected children are from the Satna district in Madhya Pradesh and are known to suffer from thalassemia, a genetic disorder that requires them to receive regular blood transfusions to survive.
However, after these children were consecutively diagnosed with HIV between March and May, an epidemiological investigation revealed that contaminated blood had been used during the transfusion process. NDTV reported that blood donated by an HIV-positive individual was transfused to these children at a public hospital in Satna.
The issue is further compounded by the fact that, even after the infections were confirmed, the hospital and local authorities either failed to properly recognize the situation or remained effectively silent about it for approximately nine months.
In connection with the incident, the state government has suspended the head physician of the blood bank and two medical technicians, and has demanded an explanation from the chief physician overseeing the hospital.
The father of one of the affected girls told the BBC, "My daughter was already suffering from thalassemia, and now she has contracted HIV as well," expressing anger that "the poor medical environment in Madhya Pradesh has led to this tragedy."
The father of another victim also told NDTV, "My daughter is taking HIV medication, but she continues to suffer from vomiting and extreme lethargy," adding, "I have no idea where to turn for help or what the future holds."
The BBC reported that similar incidents have occurred repeatedly in India due to inadequacies in the blood management system.
Earlier, in October, five thalassemia patients under the age of eight in the eastern state of Jharkhand also tested positive for HIV, leading to the suspension of two doctors and a medical technician at the relevant public hospital. In 2011, a major incident occurred in a public hospital in the western state of Gujarat, where 23 thalassemia patients who received regular transfusions were infected with HIV.
In response to these recurring incidents, thalassemia patients and their families across India are urging the Indian parliament to enact regulatory legislation to strengthen safety throughout the entire process, from securing blood to testing and transfusion.
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