Five Thalassemia Patients Test HIV Positive in Madhya Pradesh
Five children with thalassemia in Madhya Pradesh tested HIV positive after transfusions, prompting a government probe and renewed calls for stronger blood screening and regulation across India.
In India’s central state of Madhya Pradesh, five children who depend on regular blood transfusions for thalassemia have tested HIV positive. Health officials have launched a formal inquiry into blood safety amid growing concerns about how donated blood is screened.
Five cases confirmed in Satna, Madhya Pradesh
Authorities confirmed five children aged 3 to 15 tested HIV positive after transfusions. The cases, reported from Satna district, were detected during routine screening carried out between January and May 2025 and drew national attention after local media reports.
The children received blood from multiple donors across different facilities, including government hospitals and private clinics. They are now on HIV treatment, and none is described as critically ill.
In one case, both parents of a three-year-old were HIV positive; in other cases, parents tested negative, lowering the likelihood of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Satna’s Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr. Manoj Shukla, noted that children who need repeated transfusions are high risk and are routinely screened for HIV. “Treatments started immediately after detection and they remain stable,” he said.
Every unit of blood from the district hospital’s blood bank is tested before release, following government protocol. Yet experts warn that donors in the very early stage of infection may slip through initial screenings and test positive later.
Transfusion-related HIV infections in thalassemia patients are not new in India. In Jharkhand, a similar episode in October led to suspensions at a state hospital, and the government announced compensation of ₹200,000 for each affected family.
Earlier cases in 2011 in Gujarat also raised concerns about blood safety, while lawmakers last week debated the National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025 to strengthen how blood is collected, tested, and transfused. Supporters say the bill would bring essential safeguards for people who rely on regular transfusions.
Stigma and unequal access to healthcare persist in parts of India, especially in rural areas. Families affected by these cases in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand describe fears of discrimination and limited treatment options in smaller towns. One parent said his daughter, already battling thalassemia, now faces HIV while dealing with weak medical facilities. Another described treatment side effects like vomiting and fatigue from HIV therapy.
Additional reporting by Mohammad Sartaj Alam in Jharkhand.
Expert comment
Health experts emphasize stronger donor screening and better tracking of blood donations to prevent similar infections. They also call for transparency and rapid investigations whenever such cases appear.
Summary
The Madhya Pradesh cases highlight ongoing gaps in blood safety for people who rely on regular transfusions. Authorities have begun a formal inquiry, and Jharkhand cases led to compensation for families. The National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025 could provide essential safeguards through tighter screening and regulation.
Key takeaway: Strengthening blood screening and regulatory oversight is essential to protect patients requiring regular transfusions. Source: BBC News
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