MP Blood Transfusion Scandal: 5 Thalassaemia Children Contract HIV Due to Negligence

• Five thalassaemia children in Madhya Pradesh contracted HIV through contaminated blood transfusions in government hospitals.
• The infections, detected from March 2023, highlight severe breaches in blood safety protocols and "criminal negligence."
• Authorities were slow to respond, with no immediate audit or public alert for nearly nine months after initial cases.
• Investigations reveal critical loopholes in blood screening, poor record-keeping, and weak oversight, particularly for locally processed platelets.
• Disciplinary action has been taken against Dr Devendra Patel, Ram Bhai Tripathi, and Nandlal Pandey; show-cause notice issued to Dr Manoj Shukla.

Why It Matters: Systemic failures in MP government hospitals led to 5 thalassaemia children contracting HIV via transfusions.