Chennai: Following the tragic incident in which a pregnant woman from Virudhunagar was transufed with HIV infected blood, all the blood that has been stored in government and private blood banks in the district will be retested.
A team headed by Madurai Government Hospital blood bank chief Sindha will carry out the rechecking in all the blood banks in Sivakasi.
Based on the order of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, a high-level team has been formed to investigate the circumstances that led to the transfusion of the infected blood.
It is said Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan will also visit the government hospital in Virudhunagar to carry out investigation.
Speaking to News Today, Tamilnadu AIDS control Society (TANSACS) project director Dr K Senthil Raj stated, “The Joint Director of Health Services of Madurai has conducted an oral enquiry in which the lab technicians reiterated that the blood was stored after the tests showed the absence of HIV.”
“Following this, a team of experts has been sent to Madurai to probe further. Tests revealed that the woman has contracted the virus and we have been working with Sattur Government Hospital to provide Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) to ensure the foetus is safe,” said the Project Director.
“The woman claims to have contracted the disease due to blood transfusion. However, only a thorough probe will reveal the results. If found guilty of crime, legal action will be taken against the lab technicians and counsellors.”
According to sources, it is learnt that the woman, a daily wage labourer, was eight months pregnant and was suggested transfusion at Sattur Government Hospital as she was anemic. The incident came to light when the donor himself informed to the blood bank officials following which the pregnant woman was diagnosed.
However, another official from TANSACS stated that there are a lot of confusions looming over the incident, which will be clarified post the investigation.
It is learnt that when the donor underwent a medical check-up while applying for a job abroad, he was detected of AIDS. Second test at Sivakasi Government Hospital confirmed the condition.
DOCTORS ASSURE BEST TREATMENT
Meanwhile, the doctors at Sattur GH assured of giving the best care to the woman. TANSACS Virudhunagar director Shanmugaraji stated that the chances of fetus contracting the condition are more.
FORMAL COMPLAINT FILED
Family members of the victim today staged a protest, following which a formal police complaint was registered. The woman’s husband has been offered the job of a driver at the government hospital.
Meanwhile, Virudhungar medical works Joint Director Manoharan said the transfusion of the infected blood was an accident.