Allegations trigger official probe
Chaibasa: Concerns over blood transfusion safety resurfaced after a family alleged that a woman contracted HIV following a blood transfusion during a caesarean delivery at Chaibasa Sadar Hospital. The case prompted an inquiry by the Health Department into the hospital’s blood bank practices.
Donors traced and tested
West Singhbhum Civil Surgeon Bharti Minj said the woman had received blood from two donors during the surgery. Both donors were later traced and tested as part of the investigation, and neither was found HIV-positive.
Blood bank given clean chit
Based on the test results, the Health Department concluded that the Chaibasa Sadar Hospital blood bank was not responsible for the alleged HIV transmission. Officials said there was no evidence of infection originating from the transfused blood.
Background of the complaint
The incident reportedly dates back to January 2023, when the woman underwent a caesarean section and suffered heavy bleeding. Her family later alleged that infected blood was transfused, leading to her and subsequently her husband and elder child testing HIV-positive.
Link to earlier thalassemia cases
The controversy gained further attention after five thalassemia patients reportedly tested HIV-positive in October last year, with allegations pointing to blood supplied from the same hospital. These cases had led to a separate investigation into blood safety protocols.
Status of thalassemia probe
Civil Surgeon Minj said the probe into the thalassemia cases has been completed and the findings sent to the Jharkhand State Drugs Directorate. However, the report has not been made public.
State and Central inquiries
Ritu Sahay, Director of the Jharkhand State Drugs Directorate, confirmed that the report was submitted to a high-level committee led by Health Department Special Secretary Neha Arora. Arora had earlier said the findings did not indicate anything “very serious.” A parallel inquiry by a Central team has also been conducted, though its report is yet to be disclosed.
Political reaction and demands
The issue has drawn political attention, with Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi linking the present allegations to last year’s thalassemia cases. He alleged serious negligence in blood bank operations, demanded a CBI probe, and questioned why the hospital’s blood bank had not been shut down.
