Woman contracted HIV from foul blood transfusion delivers, baby tests negative

Madurai: The women who contracted HIV from infected blood transfused in a government blood bank at Sattur last December, is smiling after a long time.

The pretty girl she delivered at the Rajaji Government Hospital here on January 17 has been now tested negative for the deadly virus.

The distressed couple still have a long way to go before any celebration because the baby must go through another test after six months to firmly rule out infection from the mother.

The 23-year-old woman from a poor family had gone for treatment of anemia during pregnancy and was given blood transfusion. It turned out that the lab technicians had not tested the blood before giving it to her.

A man who had donated the blood sometime back came with the shocking news that he learnt during a screening for visa application that he was HIV positive.

The woman’s tragedy caused big uproar in the state. The government launched a fresh drive to ensure that all the blood in the various banks was properly screened and labeled. Also, the Sattur blood bank staff were sacked. The infected woman was admitted to the Rajaji GH for monitoring, pre-natal and post-delivery.

The woman’s family appeared somewhat relieved now after the doctors at the hospital told them that the baby has tested negative for HIV in the test done 17 days ago.

“The doctors said the baby does not have it, but we must have one more test six months later just to be sure. They have said the baby will be fine. We have been given a syrup to administer to the baby till the 84th day and we are doing that”, said the baby’s father. Sources said the mother has been advised against breast-feeding the baby.