HIV-Contaminated Blood Scandal Raises Serious Questions About Jharkhand’s Healthcare System – CPI (ML)

Ranchi :: The Jharkhand State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) has expressed deep concern and outrage over the recent incident at Chaibasa Hospital, where thalassemia-affected children were allegedly transfused with HIV-contaminated blood.

The party has demanded that the affected children receive the best possible medical treatment to ensure they become infection-free. This shocking incident has exposed serious flaws in the state’s medical management and blood safety protocols, putting the lives of the most vulnerable sections of society at unacceptable risk.

While welcoming Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s prompt action, the CPI (ML) stated that the roots of such dangerous negligence lie much deeper. To restore public trust, the party has urged strict action against the responsible officials, along with a comprehensive review of the state’s blood management and exchange policies.

The party further pointed out that this is not an isolated case. In 2018–19, families of thalassemia patients had similarly accused RIMS (Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences) of transfusing infected blood. The recurrence of such incidents, the party said, is a clear warning about deep-rooted systemic problems plaguing Jharkhand’s healthcare system.

According to the CPI (ML), poor monitoring, weak enforcement of safety protocols, and the lack of effective oversight are the primary reasons behind such preventable tragedies. The statement emphasized that it is always the poor and marginalized sections who bear the brunt of such systemic failures. Children suffering from thalassemia and other chronic diseases are particularly vulnerable, as they depend heavily
on public healthcare facilities for life-saving treatment.

The CPI (ML) has demanded a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the Chaibasa incident and all related administrative failures. The party also called upon the Jharkhand government to establish a responsible, health-oriented policy framework that
prioritizes patient safety over profit and convenience.