3 suspended including in-charge in Satna blood bank scandal:Former civil surgeon served notice after 5 thalassemia children received HIV-infected blood transfusions in hospital

The Madhya Pradesh Health Department taking a strict action in the Satna blood bank incident, in which five thalassemia-affected children were found to be HIV-positive after allegedly being transfused with infected blood. Late Thursday night, the department suspended three blood bank employees, including the in-charge, and issued a show-cause notice to the former civil surgeon. Meanwhile, state and central teams have launched a detailed investigation into the incident. Three suspended, former civil surgeon issued notice The Public Health and Family Welfare Department suspended Blood Bank In-Charge Dr. Devendra Patel (Pathologist), along with lab technicians Rambhai Tripathi and Nandlal Pandey. Former Civil Surgeon Dr. Manoj Shukla has been served a show-cause notice seeking his explanation. The action was taken based on the preliminary findings of a state-level inquiry committee headed by Dr. Yogesh Bharsat, CEO of Ayushman Bharat and Director of the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC). 11-hour probe on day one, records since 2023 examined A six-member state investigation team constituted by Health Commissioner Tarun Rathi has begun its probe. On the first day alone, the inquiry lasted nearly 11 hours, during which blood transfusion records dating back to 2023 were examined. Two Central Drug Inspectors from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the blood bank licensing authority, are also part of the investigation. 12 registers seized, around 200 donors under scanner The probe team has seized nearly 12 registers related to blood collection and distribution. Both online and offline records have been taken into custody. Sources said nearly 200 blood donors who may have come into contact with the infected cases are now under investigation, significantly widening the scope of the probe. Inspection of ART centre, ICTC and Hospital wards Dr. Yogesh Bharsat inspected the ART Centre, ICTC and the Thalassemia-Hemophilia ward at the district hospital. He reviewed blood transfusion procedures, verified compliance with guidelines, and assessed the availability of medicines at the ART Centre. Possibility of an HIV carrier operating nearby SBTC Deputy Director Dr. Ruby Khan raised concerns that an HIV carrier might be active within or around the hospital premises. In response, details of tea vendors, outsourced staff and members of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti operating in and around the hospital have been sought. All are currently under surveillance. Suspicion of blood black marketing The investigation team has also sought a list of private nursing homes where blood transfusions are carried out. The team visited Ayushman Hospital and Birla Hospital as part of the probe. Officials suspect that relatives of patients may have been exposed to HIV-infected blood through middlemen involved in illegal blood supply. NACO team to visit Satna CMHO Dr. Manoj Shukla said a four-member team from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) will arrive in Satna on Friday. In view of the visit, all employees of the blood bank, ICTC and ART Centre have had their leaves cancelled from December 19 to December 22. Collector: Investigation will take time District Collector Dr. Satish Kumar S stated that the number of blood donors involved is large, and therefore the investigation will take time. Separate teams at the state and central levels are conducting parallel probes. “It would be premature to draw conclusions at this stage,” the Collector said. The case has triggered serious concern over blood safety protocols and transfusion practices in government hospitals, with further action expected once the investigations are completed.