Tamil Nadu

TN HIV blood transfusion cases: DMK’s MK Stalin calls for sacking of Health Min, Secy

Written by : TNM Staff

Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu and DMK President MK Stalin has called for the removal of Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, following a blood transfusion by an HIV positive donor that left a pregnant woman infected in Sattur, Virudhunagar.

Days after the incident came to light, a woman from Chennai too made similar allegations against Kilpauk Medical College in the city, stating that she was transfused with HIV infected blood in March this year.

In a tweet on Sunday, MK Stalin wrote, “The atrocious cases of two women being transfused with HIV blood in Sattur and Kilpauk is proof enough that the government administration in AIADMK regime has lost complete control. In addition to dismissing Minister Vijayabaskar who is responsible for this, Health Department Secretary must be immediately replaced.”

In a case of negligence, a 23-year-old pregnant woman in Sattur, Virudhunagar was transfused with the blood of a 19-year-old HIV positive man. The gesture of the man informing the blood bank where he donated about his HIV positive status, led to the ultimate discovery that his blood had already been transfused to the woman. The case caused ripples across Tamil Nadu, with the Health Department ordering a test of all blood samples in the state, across government and private hospitals.

While the Madras High Court took suo motu cognizance of the case, calling for a report from the Health Department by January 3, the donor succumbed to his death, following a suicide attempt.

Days after the incident came to light, a Chennai woman made similar allegations, stating that she was administered HIV-infected blood in March this year at the Kilpauk Medical College where she received treatment to raise her platelet count. KMC denied this, stating that an enquiry had been conducted into the matter. “The blood that we received was labelled negative, we even tested the donor again and know that he doesn't carry the virus. It could not have come from an infected syringe because we used disposable ones," said KMC Dean P Vasanthamani.

 

Who spread unblurred videos of women? SIT probe on Prajwal Revanna must find

Karnataka: Special Public Prosecutor appointed in Prajwal Revanna sexual abuse case

Heat wave: Election Commission extends polling hours in Telangana

No faith in YSRCP or TDP-JSP-BJP alliance: Andhra’s Visakha Steel Plant workers

Being KC Venugopal: Rahul Gandhi's trusted lieutenant