Four thalassemia children contract HIV during treatment:196 blood donors traced; 3 staff suspended, probe still incomplete

My daughter has turned 15 years old. Earlier we used to think that once her education is complete, we will get her married. Now we have given up the dream of marriage. We just want her to remain healthy. The father, a labourer in Satna, speaks with tears in his eyes. After a brief pause, he says the pain of thalassemia had already been part of their lives, but they had placed their trust in the hospital. He never imagined that during treatment itself, his daughter would contract another lifelong disease. Another father shares a similar anguish. His 10-year-old son used to visit the district hospital every month for blood transfusions. He says they took him there to save his life, but everything changed during treatment. The family now makes multiple hospital visits each month. “We believed blood transfusion would help the child recover,” he says. “Our financial condition was already weak. Now we are burdened with hospital visits, medicines and constant mental stress.” The child’s mother works as an outsourced employee under a district administration initiative. She says that even while at work, her thoughts remain with her son at home, leaving her in a constant state of worry. This is not the story of just two families. In Satna district, four families have been living through similar distress over the past six months. Their children, already battling thalassemia, were reportedly infected with HIV during treatment. While medical care continues, the families say their greatest concern now is not only the illness but also the uncertain future of their children. ‘Would get relief if action is taken against responsible’ These four families met at the hospital. Gradually, they began sharing their pain. Now when one family’s morale breaks down, another supports them. They share information about medicines with each other, go to the hospital together, and provide emotional support. Everyone says that the government is helping, but until action is taken against the responsible people, their minds will not find peace. Actually, due to alleged negligence at the blood bank of Satna District Hospital, 4 children suffering from thalassemia were transfused with HIV-infected blood. This case came to light on December 16, 2025. All the children are between 8 to 15 years of age. They required regular blood transfusions. The case began in September 2025, when during a test in Rewa of a thalassemia-affected child from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, the HIV report came positive. Investigation revealed that he had previously been given blood at Satna District Hospital. After this, screening of 53 thalassemia-affected children in the district was conducted. In the examination of 37 children, five were found to be HIV positive. Among them was one child whose parents were already infected. Following this, a list of 196 blood donors was prepared. However, even after six months, investigating agencies have not been able to determine which donor’s blood was infected. 56 donors still remain a challenge for investigating agencies Assistant Director of Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control Committee, Monal Singh, investigated the case. It was revealed that out of 196, 49 donors had already been tested. Out of the remaining 147, reports of 34 came back negative. 15 people refused to donate blood and 41 had their phone numbers disconnected. The team has still not been able to reach these 56 people. It is feared that an infected blood donor may be hidden among them. After a state-level investigation, the then Blood Bank in-charge Dr. Devendra Patel and the company operating the blood bank, Surya, were held responsible for negligence. Dr. Devendra Patel, lab technician Rambhai Tripathi, and Nandlal Pandey were suspended in December 2025. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated against the current CMHO and then Civil Surgeon Dr. Manoj Shukla. Serious negligence has come to light in record-keeping, distribution of testing kits, and HIV screening. Complaints regarding the movement of suspicious persons in the hospital premises and blood donation being facilitated in exchange for money have also been mentioned. The National Human Rights Commission has also recommended disciplinary action. Monthly assistance of Rs 4,000 till 18 years of age District Nodal Officer of HIV Program Dr. Pooja Gupta said that all infected children are being regularly treated through the ART center. Regular counseling of family members is also being done. The Women and Child Development Department is providing financial assistance of Rs 4,000 every month to these children till the age of 18 years. Apart from this, an initiative has been taken to provide employment to one member of the affected families through outsourcing. The mother of one child is working while the process for a member of the other family is ongoing.