Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], October 26 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pratul Shah Deo on Sunday demanded an immediate inquiry after five children suffering from thalassemia contracted HIV after being administered infected blood during transfusions in Jharkhand's Chaibasa.

He also demanded the registration of an FIR against all responsible officials.

'5 children were administered HIV positive blood in Jharkhand, because they had Thalassemia. Imagine the gross negligence costing children their precious lives because there is no cure for AIDS. We demand an immediate inquiry into the entire matter and the registration of an FIR against all responsible officials. The state Health Minister should take responsibility and resign immediately,' the BJP leader told ANI.

Shah Deo accused the Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren of attempting an 'eyewash' by announcing suspensions instead of taking strict action.

'Is the cost of a life fixed at Rs 2 lakh? You (Jharkhand Chief Minister) are just doing an eyewash by suspending a few officials. Dismiss the Health Minister and take action against the senior officials of the department,' he added.

CM Soren has announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to each of the affected families, along with free treatment for the children suffering from the infection.

'Following reports of HIV-infected blood being transfused to children suffering from Thalassemia in Chaibasa, instructions have been given to suspend the West Singhbhum Civil Surgeon and other concerned officials,' CM Hemant Soren said in a post on X.

The Jharkhand government has already suspended three officials, including the Civil Surgeon of Chaibasa, after a preliminary probe confirmed one case of HIV infection among thalassemia patients who received transfusions.

Earlier, Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari said the issue came to light two days ago and termed it an 'extremely serious' matter.

'The matter of possible HIV infection through blood transfusion in children suffering from thalassemia is extremely serious. Two days ago, this issue came to my attention, after which I immediately ordered a high-level investigation,' the minister said in a statement on X.

The Minister said that a 'preliminary confirmation of HIV infection' was found in one thalassemia-affected child during the inquiry.

'Taking swift action in this grave matter, the Civil Surgeon of Chaibasa, the doctor in charge of the HIV unit at Sadar Hospital and the concerned technician have all been suspended with immediate effect,' he wrote.

Ansari added that a high-level inquiry committee has been formed to probe the incident in detail.

'I have constituted a high-level inquiry committee and directed it to submit a complete investigation report within one week. I have also clearly instructed that the investigation must determine whether the blood supply came from the blood bank or from outside sources,' he said. (ANI)