Six Thalassemic Children Test HIV+ After Blood Transfusion At Satna Hospital; Probe Ordered

By Pradeep Kashyap

Satna: An incident of six children, aged eight to 12 years, suffering from thalassemia testing positive for HIV after blood transfusions has come to light at the Satna District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh, causing a stir across the state. With officials making evasive answers, an investigation into the blood donors has been initiated.

The bizarre case, which is likely to have taken place between January and April-May 2025, came to light on Monday, prompting Satna collector Satish Kumar S to hold a meeting with the officials responsible and harshly reprimanding them for negligence.

"Based on the report and discussions with the Civil Surgeon, it has come to light that thalassemia patients undergo repeated blood transfusions. During routine SOP checks, six children were found to be HIV positive. The parents of one of these children were found to be HIV positive, but the parents of the other five children tested negative."

He said an internal investigation is being conducted at the hospital level, and the matter has also been brought to the attention of the government, which is also conducting a probe at the state level.

"The investigation will find where the children received blood transfusions. It has come to light that blood transfusions were performed at Jabalpur District Hospital and several other places, and different blood donors were involved. An investigation committee is being formed. Further action will be initiated based on its findings. A strict warning has been issued to the officials to complete the investigation. Based on its findings, strict action will be initiated against those found negligent. As soon as this information came to light, treatment for all the children was started according to protocol, and all blood donors are being continuously tested for HIV and other diseases at the lab," he added.

The health department is investigating the list of blood donors at the blood bank of the hospital. "Six children have contracted HIV through blood transfusions. Authorities are investigating how the infection occurred, including whether contaminated needles or infected blood were used. The children have been suffering from thalassemia since childhood and have been receiving regular blood transfusions," Dr Devendra Patel, in charge of the blood bank, said.

Whoever donates blood is required to fill out a form mentioning age and other information. Afterwards, the donor undergoes a health check-up to confirm whether he/she is fit for it. Men can donate blood after a gap of three months, while women can donate after about four months.

Also Read

1. HIV Cases Cross 97,000 In Bihar; Experts Caution
2. Abandoned Dog Puli Turns Lifesaver, Donates Blood Seven Times At Khammam Veterinary Hospital