SatBhopal, Dec 17 (NationPress) Congress MLA Vikrant Bhuria expressed his deep concern on Wednesday regarding the transfusion of contaminated blood to children suffering from thalassaemia at the government hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Satna. He labeled the incident a 'systemic failure' that poses a serious threat to the lives of these children.

As a young Congress MLA and a qualified doctor (MBBS), Bhuria emphasized that the protocols for collecting and testing blood samples at various stages are crucial to preventing such tragedies.

"There are established parameters that must be adhered to before blood is transfused. This involves a panel that conducts comprehensive testing of the blood. While I cannot ascertain the exact cause of this failure, it is undeniably horrific," stated Bhuria, the son of prominent Congress leader and former Union Minister Kantilal Bhuria, in an interview with IANS.

He further elaborated that patients with thalassaemia require frequent blood transfusions at designated intervals.

"It's possible that necessary guidelines were overlooked to cut costs on laboratory testing. This incident exemplifies the deteriorating health system of Madhya Pradesh," he remarked.

Bhuria urged the government to take stringent action against those responsible for jeopardizing the lives of these six children. "An FIR should be lodged, and those accountable, irrespective of their status, must face punishment," he stated.

In response, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Narendra Shivaji Patel, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation during a session at the State Assembly. He announced the formation of an inquiry panel comprising senior doctors to investigate the matter.

"I cannot comment further at this moment as the inquiry is ongoing. Once the committee submits its findings, appropriate measures will be taken. The government is committed to ensuring that strict actions follow," Patel assured IANS.

Reports indicate that at least six children have tested HIV positive at the Satna district hospital, allegedly due to contaminated blood transfusions received while treating thalassaemia.

The affected children include five boys under the age of 11 and a nine-year-old girl, all of whom have been undergoing regular blood transfusions at the hospital. Although the children were diagnosed with HIV between January and May 2025, the issue has only recently come to light.

Manoj Shukla, the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CHMO) of Satna, informed the media that these children have been receiving treatment for thalassaemia for an extended period due to their need for consistent blood transfusions.

However, Dr. Shukla, a senior surgeon, argued, "All protocols for blood testing were adhered to, but there is a possibility that if a person is in the early stages of infection, it might not be detected during testing.”