Jharkhand Shocker: 7-Year-Old Tests HIV Positive, Probe Launched - Who's Under Scanner?

A seven-year-old child in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, has tested HIV positive, prompting an official investigation, authorities said on Saturday. A five-member team from Ranchi visited Chaibasa, the district headquarters, to look into the case, according to District Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushanto Majhee. The team inspected local healthcare facilities, including Sadar Hospital and the district's blood bank, as part of their probe."The victim tested HIV-positive over a week ago," Dr. Majhee told PTI. He also did not disclose who is heading the probe team or further details regarding the probe. Allegations have surfaced that HIV-infected blood was transfused to the seven-year-old, who was a thalassemia patient at the hospital, by the local blood bank.

Committee expected to submit report soon

The matter came to light on Friday after the child's family blamed the blood bank for the transfusion of contaminated blood. Around 25 units of blood has been transfused since the child started visiting the blood bank. Following the allegation, a three-member local committee headed by Dr Minu, District Reproductive and Child Health (DRCH) officer, was formed to probe the matter.The committee is expected to submit its report soon after a thorough inquiry, Majhee said.The civil surgeon added that blood donors whose samples were used for the child's transfusions would be examined before arriving at any conclusion."The boy, who hails from a rural area under Manjhari police station limits, has tested HIV-positive. However, it would be premature to state that the infection resulted from blood supplied by the bank," Majhee said.He said HIV infection could also occur due to other factors, including exposure to contaminated needles.(With PTI inputs)