NHRC notice to Assam Government on allegations of HIV infected blood transfusion

New Delhi, 24th June, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that four persons had tested HIV positive after blood transfusion at the District Hospital, Mangaldoi due to negligence of hospital authorities. The investigation revealed that the four patients, who tested HIV positive, had taken blood directly from the donors which was transfused to them by the concerned hospital staff without proper test.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the patients. Accordingly, a notice has being issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of Assam to submit a report in the matter within four weeks.
He has also been directed to inform the name of the victims/patients, the status of their health and the amount of compensation, if any, being proposed to be paid to them as compensation along with the report with regard to disciplinary action, if any, initiated against the delinquent public servants.
Reportedly, a section of the hospital staff were hand in glove with the illegal professional donors and three officials, including a Government doctor, had been put under suspension.
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