After six children were found to be HIV positive following alleged transfusions of contaminated blood in Satna district, the Madhya Pradesh government has suspended three officials, including the officer in charge of a government blood bank.
The suspensions were ordered based on a preliminary inquiry report submitted by a committee set up by the state’s Public Health and Family Welfare Department to probe the incident.
Officials said blood bank in-charge Dr Devendra Patel and laboratory technicians Ram Bhai Tripathi and Nandlal Pandey have been placed under suspension with immediate effect, TNIE reported.
A show-cause notice has also been issued to Manoj Shukla, the former civil surgeon of the Satna district hospital, seeking an explanation for alleged administrative lapses. Authorities said he has been warned of strict departmental action if his reply is found unsatisfactory.
The six children, aged between 12 and 15, tested HIV positive after receiving blood transfusions at district hospitals in Satna, Jabalpur and other centres. The transfusions are suspected to have taken place between January and May this year.
Officials added that the parents of one of the affected children have also tested positive for HIV.
All six children are currently undergoing treatment as per standard HIV management protocols, officials said, adding that further action would be taken after the final investigation report is submitted.