THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Oct 26: Reacting strongly to the shocking case of medical negligence in Chaibasa, where five children suffering from thalassaemia have tested positive for HIV after allegedly being transfused with infected blood, former Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda expressed deep anguish, calling the incident “a gross violation of human rights and medical ethics.”
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage and raised serious questions about the state’s healthcare and blood screening protocols.
Munda, under whose tenure the “Sickle Cell Anaemia Free India Mission” was launched, said the episode exposes “dangerous gaps in healthcare delivery and systemic negligence in Jharkhand.”
“Five innocent children have lost their health and innocence because of carelessness that could have been prevented. This is not just a medical failure — it is a failure of conscience,” said Munda.
He stressed that Jharkhand, being a tribal-majority state, has a higher prevalence of genetic blood disorders such as thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia, and therefore requires “rigorous, transparent and accountable” healthcare systems.
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Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia
The ‘Sickle Cell Anaemia Free India by 2047’ mission, launched during Munda’s tenure, aims to screen about 70 million people across tribal-dominated states , including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra between 2023 and 2026.
Munda emphasised that while the mission is ambitious, its success depends on “flawless implementation and monitoring at the grassroots level.”
“The Chaibasa incident shows that we cannot afford complacency. Screening, testing, and infection control protocols must be watertight. Every lapse endangers lives,” he added.
State Government Orders Probe and Accountability
Following public outrage, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced stringent measures, including the suspension of health officials involved in the incident. The Jharkhand High Court has also ordered a probe after taking suo motu cognisance of the horrific incident.
All blood banks in Jharkhand are now under review to ensure compliance with infection control and transparency standards.
Call for Systemic Reform
Munda called for a comprehensive reform of the blood management system, demanding:
A full independent audit of blood banks and hospitals in Jharkhand.
A review of the implementation of the Sickle Cell mission at the state level.
Strengthening of screening and infection control protocols.
Public disclosure of audit findings and corrective actions.
“Our vision of a healthy, disease-free tribal India cannot stand on weak foundations. We owe it to our children to fix what’s broken — urgently, decisively and transparently,” Munda said.
Public Outcry and National Concern
The incident has triggered widespread concern among public health experts and tribal rights activists. They have demanded stronger monitoring of government healthcare schemes, especially in tribal regions where access to quality healthcare remains limited.
As investigations proceed, the Chaibasa tragedy stands as a grim reminder of how systemic neglect can turn life-saving treatments into life-threatening disasters.