5 Thalassemia-Affected Kids Contract HIV After Transfusion In Jharkhand Hospital | Govt Orders Probe

A shocking case of medical negligence has emerged from Chaibasa in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, where five thalassemia-affected children have tested positive for HIV after receiving blood transfusions at a government hospital. The children had been undergoing regular transfusions at Chaibasa Sadar Hospital, and all were reportedly infected through contaminated blood. Following public outrage, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren has ordered an immediate high-level probe, suspending several senior officials — including the Civil Surgeon of West Singhbhum. The government has also announced ₹2 lakh compensation per family and full medical treatment at state expense. The Director of Health Services has confirmed major lapses in the hospital’s blood bank — including poor testing, unsafe storage, and distribution failures. As the probe continues, the blood bank will now operate only for emergency cases.