Ex-Blood Bank Staffer Arrested in Jharkhand HIV Transfusion Case
Police in Jharkhand, India, have arrested a former staff member of the Chaibasa Sadar Hospital blood bank nearly six months after five children contracted HIV through allegedly infected blood transfusions. The incident occurred in October 2025, affecting minors undergoing treatment for thalassemia. Initial complaints were ignored by local authorities, prompting the victims' families to approach the Jharkhand High Court. In February 2026, the court criticized the police for failing to register a First Information Report (FIR) and ordered them to do so, citing a cognizable offense. Following this directive, an FIR was filed against Manoj Prasad, who was recently taken into custody. Investigators have seized blood bank registers to examine donor lists and potential evidence tampering. Families report significant social stigma, including eviction from rented housing and school discontinuation for the affected children. They express frustration over delayed accountability and alleged attempts by hospital authorities to destroy evidence. The investigation remains ongoing, with police examining the roles of other staff members and systemic failures within the hospital's blood management protocols.
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Ex-Blood Bank Staffer Arrested in Jharkhand HIV Transfusion Case
Police in Jharkhand, India, have arrested a former staff member of the Chaibasa Sadar Hospital blood bank nearly six months after five children contracted HIV through allegedly infected blood transfusions. The incident occurred in October 2025, affecting minors undergoing treatment for thalassemia. Initial complaints were ignored by local authorities, prompting the victims' families to approach the Jharkhand High Court. In February 2026, the court criticized the police for failing to register a First Information Report (FIR) and ordered them to do so, citing a cognizable offense. Following this directive, an FIR was filed against Manoj Prasad, who was recently taken into custody. Investigators have seized blood bank registers to examine donor lists and potential evidence tampering. Families report significant social stigma, including eviction from rented housing and school discontinuation for the affected children. They express frustration over delayed accountability and alleged attempts by hospital authorities to destroy evidence. The investigation remains ongoing, with police examining the roles of other staff members and systemic failures within the hospital's blood management protocols.
The Indian Express