Nagpur (Maharashtra): Four children in Nagpur became Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection positive, allegedly after blood transfusion, said officials on Thursday. These four patients were given blood for the treatment of Thalassemia, post which they were found infected. The incident took place at a private hospital in the Jaripatka area of Nagpur.
Taking the matter into consideration, the state health department set up a high-level inquiry. "Four children have been infected with HIV, out of which one child has died. We will collect all the information and take action against the culprits after conducting a high-level investigation," said Assistant Deputy Director of Health Department Dr. RK Dhakate.
He also said that the Food and Drugs Department (FDA) has also started a preliminary investigation into the case adding that soon Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) test of blood given to the children will be done. "(FDA) has also started a preliminary investigation in this case. Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) test of blood given to Thalassemia patients would be done soon," said Dr. RK Dhakate.
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Dr Vicky Rughwani, who was treating the children admitted that the blood given to the children was not subjected to the NAT test as required. "They were tested during treatment and found HIV infected. Allegedly, they were infected with HIV and Hepatitis B after the contaminated blood was given to them by the blood bank. It is necessary to have a NAT test of blood given to the children suffering from Thalassemia, but due to the non-availability of this facility in the blood bank, the children became victims of HIV infection," said Dr. Vicky Rughwani," he said.
(With Agency inputs)
