Summary
In India, five children with thalassemia tested positive for HIV after receiving blood transfusions in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Authorities have launched an investigation to understand how this happened, as both government and private healthcare facilities were involved. This incident follows a similar situation in another Indian state, raising concerns over blood transfusion safety.
Key Facts
- Five children aged 3 to 15 in Madhya Pradesh tested positive for HIV after blood transfusions.
- Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that requires regular blood transfusions to treat severe anemia.
- The HIV cases were found during screenings between January and May 2025.
- Authorities have set up a committee to investigate the cause of the infections.
- All children are currently receiving treatment and are stable.
- The incident in Madhya Pradesh is similar to a case in Jharkhand, where five children got HIV after transfusions.
- There are over 2.5 million people living with HIV in India, with around 66,400 new infections each year.
- Campaigners are urging the Indian government to pass the National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025 for safer blood transfusions.
