Madhya Pradesh Hospital Scandal: Four Children Infected with HIV After Blood Transfusions

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A shocking case of medical negligence has come to light in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district. Four children suffering from thalassemia, aged between 8 and 14, have been infected with HIV allegedly after receiving blood transfusions at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel district hospital. The children underwent transfusions a few months ago, which reportedly led to the HIV infection. The hospital administration was aware of the issue four months ago but only acknowledged it publicly on Tuesday, after parents of the children demanded action. Tests conducted at the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre showed that all the children were initially HIV-negative, but subsequent tests revealed positive results. The district hospital administration has started tracking the blood donors, but so far, they have only managed to trace 50% of them. Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla has ordered an inquiry into the matter and formed a panel to probe the incident. The panel will investigate whether the children received blood transfusions from any source other than the government hospital. The incident has raised concerns about the testing kits used for screening HIV and other diseases in blood donors. The hospital's blood bank in-charge has expressed doubts about the reliability of the testing kits, citing the high number of transfusions the children received. The parents of the infected children are accusing the district hospital administration of hiding the matter to save themselves. They demand action against the officers who failed to perform their duties. The incident has sparked outrage, with MP Congress state president Jitu Patwari calling for the Health Minister's resignation, citing a series of recent medical mishaps in government hospitals in the state.