Islamabad: In one of the most shocking cases of unscreened blood transfusion related incidents, ten children between the ages of 5 and 16 suffering from Thalassaemia acquired the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus. Ten young children who were already living with one disease were infected with another harmful virus during routine transfusions for Thalassaemia. The number of victims may rise because other patients also underwent transfusions and have not been identified yet. However, it has been confirmed that all children who acquired HIV from tainted blood transfusions were from Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Authorities have started probing into the matter to arrest the culprits and punish them for this inhumane act. The blood bank responsible for supplying the unscreened blood has yet to be identified. According to sources, the process may take time because the children have to go through multiple transfusion facilities and centers for their treatment. Secretary General of the Thalassaemia Federation of Pakistan, Dr Yasmin Rashid revealed that majority of the blood banks and centers screen blood only for Hepatitis B and C, not HIV. NHSRC Minister Saira Afzal Tarar, and Vice Chancellor PIMS, Dr Javed Akram have expressed their shock and grave concern over the incident and have stated that the culprits will be put to justice for this unforgivable crime.
