GUWAHATI, May 15 - Investigations into the shocking incident of an infant getting infected with HIV virus at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) have revealed that two units of blood were brought into the plastic surgery department of the hospital from outside sources without the knowledge of the hospital authority, which apparently was the source of the infection.
Investigations revealed that there was no record of the two units of blood brought inside the GMCH plastic surgery department and transfused into the small boy. The child was being treated for burn injuries at the GMCH.
�Apparently, the blood bank was not aware of the two units that were supplied and transfused into the child. The discrepancy must have been in the two units of blood that were sourced from outside,� sources told The Assam Tribune.
Two committees of experts including one at the GMCH and the other at the Assam State AIDS Control Society were entrusted with the responsibility of probing the matter that had sent shockwaves across the country.
�Of the total units of blood that were transfused into the child, there are no records available about two units, which is shocking to say the least. This could just be the tip of the iceberg. It is surprising how blood can be sourced from outside without following the requisite norms,� sources claimed.
The onus will now be on the GMCH authorities to explain how such a lapse could take place, sources added. The three-and-a-half-year-old child was tested HIV positive recently after multiple blood transfusions during treatment for his burn injuries at the GMCH. During his treatment a series of operations took place and multiple blood transfusions were done from the GMCH�s internal blood bank.
Besides the inquiries, the Assam Human Rights Commission has also taken a suo-moto case. A PIL too has been filed in the Gauhati High Court.
GUWAHATI, May 15 - Investigations into the shocking incident of an infant getting infected with HIV virus at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) have revealed that two units of blood were brought into the plastic surgery department of the hospital from outside sources without the knowledge of the hospital authority, which apparently was the source of the infection.
Investigations revealed that there was no record of the two units of blood brought inside the GMCH plastic surgery department and transfused into the small boy. The child was being treated for burn injuries at the GMCH.
�Apparently, the blood bank was not aware of the two units that were supplied and transfused into the child. The discrepancy must have been in the two units of blood that were sourced from outside,� sources told The Assam Tribune.
Two committees of experts including one at the GMCH and the other at the Assam State AIDS Control Society were entrusted with the responsibility of probing the matter that had sent shockwaves across the country.
�Of the total units of blood that were transfused into the child, there are no records available about two units, which is shocking to say the least. This could just be the tip of the iceberg. It is surprising how blood can be sourced from outside without following the requisite norms,� sources claimed.
The onus will now be on the GMCH authorities to explain how such a lapse could take place, sources added. The three-and-a-half-year-old child was tested HIV positive recently after multiple blood transfusions during treatment for his burn injuries at the GMCH. During his treatment a series of operations took place and multiple blood transfusions were done from the GMCH�s internal blood bank.
Besides the inquiries, the Assam Human Rights Commission has also taken a suo-moto case. A PIL too has been filed in the Gauhati High Court.
