Overview
- A six-member committee led by Special Secretary Dr Neha Arora has been tasked to report within seven days on blood collection, testing, storage and distribution at the Chaibasa Sadar Hospital blood bank.
- Five infections are officially confirmed, with retesting at advanced laboratories ordered and some reports suggesting up to seven children may have been exposed.
- Chief Minister Hemant Soren suspended the district civil surgeon and the medical officer in charge, announced Rs 2 lakh for each affected family, and committed to covering treatment costs.
- The Jharkhand High Court took suo motu cognizance and ordered a probe, while state authorities directed district-wide blood-bank audits within five days and a shift from rapid kits to ELISA or NAT.
- Preliminary inspections flagged serious lapses in screening and record maintenance, the district is tracing 256 donors for repeat testing, and officials say the HIV window period remains a line of inquiry.