The mother of a nine-year-old, who was infected with HIV after undergoing treatment at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram since March, has approached Kerala High Court seeking a central government enquiry.
The parents had earlier alleged that the child was infected possibly because of a blood transfusion at RCC.
Demanding a probe by the Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as the chief secretary of the state, a petition has been filed with the HC.
The petition alleges that the state government failed to take action even after the complaint was filed.
“The patient admitted for cancer treatment became an HIV patient. The irresponsibility and culpable negligence of the hospital and authorities are in violation to the natural right to live, which was guaranteed under the Constitution of India.The state human rights commission and child rights commissions had suo motu intervened in the matter and directed for urgent action. But nothing was done by the state government other than forming some inquiry committees as usual,“ the petition said, The Times of India reports.
The mother has alleged in the petition that many blood tests including HIV tests, were carried out before the child started the treatment in RCC and it was all clear. The mother has also sought compensation from the state government as well as from RCC.
The enquiry committees appointed by the state government had already stated that there was no fault from RCC regarding this issue.
A statement issued by RCC said, “The blood-borne infections could be transmitted through blood transfusion, unsafe injections or non-sterile dental procedures. HIV infection has a window period of four to twelve weeks, within which the infected person might not test positive," adding that they are conducting an internal enquiry.