What should have been routine, life-saving treatment for five children suffering from thalassemia has turned into a major public health tragedy in Madhya Pradesh. An NDTV investigation has found that these children were infected with HIV after being given contaminated blood during transfusions at government hospitals in Satna district. The incident has raised serious concerns about negligence and the failure of blood safety systems meant to protect patients.

The children, who depend on regular blood transfusions to survive, were given a total of 189 units of blood. This blood came from three different blood banks and involved more than 150 donors. A district-level inquiry has now confirmed that the HIV infection reached the children through donor blood, pointing to a serious breakdown in blood screening and testing procedures.

Following the findings, the state’s Department of Public Health and Family Welfare has taken action. A blood bank in-charge and two laboratory technicians have been suspended. A show-cause notice has also been issued to the former Civil Surgeon of Satna District Hospital, Dr Manoj Shukla. He has been asked to submit a written explanation and warned that strict action will follow if his response is unsatisfactory. These steps were taken based on a preliminary report by a seven-member inquiry committee led by Dr Yogesh Bharsat, IAS.

The timeline of events is deeply troubling. The first HIV-positive case among the children was detected on March 20, when a 15-year-old patient tested positive. Two more children were found infected between March 26 and 28, and a fourth case came to light on April 3. However, despite these confirmed cases, the hospital administration and district authorities allegedly failed to act for several months. No urgent audit of blood banks was carried out, no public warning was issued, and no immediate steps were taken to prevent further infections.

Families of the affected children are now facing devastating consequences. One father told NDTV that his daughter, diagnosed with thalassemia at the age of nine, requires blood transfusions three times a month. The family learned about her HIV infection only three months ago. Although she is on medication, he said it is causing severe side effects, leaving her weak, sick, and unable to recover properly.

Investigators are also examining whether platelets processed locally, rather than plasma supplied through a contracted agency with strict testing, could have been the source of infection. This has highlighted possible loopholes in local oversight.

While the state government claims the issue was detected internally, opposition leaders have accused it of criminal negligence and suppression of information. With many donors still untraceable and no clear accountability yet, the incident has exposed serious gaps in Madhya Pradesh’s healthcare system and raised urgent questions about patient safety, transparency, and responsibility.