Probe begins into child testing HIV after blood transfusion at RCC

The police on Friday commenced an investigation on a complaint that a nine-year-old leukemia patient, who underwent blood transfusion at the state-run Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) here, later tested positive for HIV.

The Kerala government had on Thursday constituted a team of experts to investigate the complaint by the child’s family, which claimed that she was infected during blood transfusion at the RCC.

The RCC, a premier cancer institute established in 1981, has also announced an internal probe. Referred from the Alappuzha Medical College, the child was brought to the RCC on March 1. She tested positive on August 25 during routine blood tests.

The child had tested negative during an earlier examination at the RCC, on March 1. Health Minister K K Shailaja said a detailed examination was called for after later tests showed “different” results. The RCC said the girl was given 49 units of blood during her treatment at the institute. A team of experts in Anti-retroviral Therapy, Pathology and blood banks will investigate the case. Joint Director of Medical Education Dr K Sreekumari is heading the team.

Shailaja said the government would bear the expenses of the child’s medical treatment.A police team under Kazhakkuttom ACP Pramod Kumar commenced the probe in the case, registered under Section 336 of the IPC (act endangering life or personal safety of others). Kumar told DH that statements of RCC officials were recorded and documents seized on Friday.

Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala called for a comprehensive probe into the incident. “It’s unfortunate that the health department has initiated action on this serious negligence 15 days after a complaint was handed over,” Chennithala said here.

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission ordered a high-level probe into the incident and directed the RCC director and the health department secretary to file an explanation in three weeks.