Panel sees no Regional Cancer Centre lapse in HIV case
The experts said the RCC complied with all safety standards while accepting blood donation.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala AIDS Control Society (KSACS) has given a clean chit to the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in connection with the allegations that HIV-infected blood was transfused to a nine-year-old girl. Sources said the KSACS team which conducted an inquiry into the allegations found that the RCC had complied with all safety norms laid down for blood transfusion. The team examined the records and found that the protocol specified for blood transfusion and other procedures were strictly followed by RCC blood bank authorities.
The experts said the RCC complied with all safety standards while accepting blood donation. However, there is no mechanism to detect the infection if a person with HIV donates blood between four to 12 weeks after contracting the disease. “I can only speak about blood safety aspect. It was found that all precautions were taken by the blood bank,” said Dr R. Ramesh, project director, KSACS. The report is expected to be submitted to the director of health service on Tuesday. An internal inquiry conducted by the RCC was also almost complete.
The team headed by the medical superintendent of the institute had carried out preliminary probe into the issues linked to blood transfusion. The team is expected to submit the report to the RCC director shortly. The RCC authorities have maintained that the institute is the lone cancer centre to get NABH accreditation which itself indicated that it complied with all norms and standard operating procedures for patient safety.
Meanwhile, the inquiry ordered by the heath minister is also progressing. The probe team headed by the joint DME is looking into the allegations raised by the girl’s parents. Apart from the expert committee probe, the police investigations are also continuing in the matter. The Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights had on September 15 taken a suo motu case in connection with the allegations of HIV- infected blood transfusion at the RCC. It has also directed the RCC director and Kerala State Aids Control Society (KSACS) to submit a detailed report within 15 days.
