Bhopal: Six children have tested HIV positive following blood transfusions at a government hospital in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district.
The children — five boys and a girl in the age group of 9 to 12 – were undergoing treatment for thalassaemia, officials said.
The children were found to have contracted HIV between January and May 2025 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Government Hospital, but the matter has come to light recently.
The parents of one of the children were also found to be infected.
Pathologist and blood bank in-charge Devendra Patel and two lab technicians, Ram Bhai Tripathi and Nandlal Pandey, have been suspended, based on the preliminary inquiry report submitted by a seven-member investigation committee headed by Ayushman Bharat CEO Dr Yogesh Bharsat.
“In addition, a showcause notice has been issued to the former civil surgeon of Satna district hospital, Manoj Shukla. He has been directed to submit a written explanation in response to the notice. He has been warned of strict departmental action if his explanation is not satisfactory,” MP’s deputy CM and Health minister Rajendra Shukla said.
Investigation revealed that an infected person donated blood to these children. However, the district administration has not been able to trace the donor, as most donors at stage government hospitals provide incorrect addresses.
Madhya Pradesh has over 70,000 cases of HIV-positive patients, with seven districts being classified as ‘high risk’, according to an NDTV report.
Recently, there was an HIV outbreak in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district as well.
