Overview
- During a probe into a family’s complaint, a five-member team from Ranchi identified four additional cases, bringing the total to five thalassemia children testing HIV positive.
- Chief Minister Hemant Soren ordered the suspension of the West Singhbhum civil surgeon and others, announced Rs 2 lakh compensation per family with free treatment, and directed a statewide audit of blood banks within five days.
- Preliminary findings cited lapses in testing, record-keeping and safety protocols at the hospital blood bank, which has been limited to emergency services as corrective measures are ordered within a week.
- Authorities say the source of infection is not yet confirmed; confirmatory tests, donor tracing and re-testing of linked blood units are underway, and other medical exposures have not been ruled out.
- The Jharkhand High Court took suo motu cognisance and sought reports from senior health officials, as district records list 515 known HIV cases and 56 thalassemia patients in West Singhbhum.