First, kids with thalassemia tested HIV positive at Jharkhand hospital. Now families say being made to sign forms ‘taking responsibility’
Sub-Divisional Officer says practice “inappropriate”, orders that it be stopped immediately
Families also alleged that in several cases, hospital staff themselves travelled to MGM to collect the units but they were made to sign declarations claiming they had brought the blood on their own and would be responsible for any adverse outcome. (Express photo) Patients at the Chaibasa District Hospital in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district have alleged that the hospital’s blood bank staff are asking them to sign handwritten undertakings, that they would bear full responsibility if “anything happens” to the patient during blood transfusion.
Several families claimed that the blood bank has been facing a shortage in recent weeks after five children with thalassemia who underwent blood transfusions tested positive for HIV. They said staff are directing patients to procure blood from the MGM Medical College and Hospital’s blood bank in Jamshedpur.
Families also alleged that in several cases, hospital staff themselves travelled to MGM to collect the units but they were made to sign declarations claiming they had brought the blood on their own and would be responsible for any adverse outcome. They also alleged that this was different from the consent form they regularly fill and submit during the blood transfusion process.
When contacted, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Sandeep Anurag Topno said the practice was “inappropriate” and ordered that it be stopped immediately.
Speaking to The Indian Express, the father of a HIV-positive thalassemia child claimed he was handed a hospital admission form and instructed to write the following: “I am bringing blood from MGM for my patient and if anything happens, it is my responsibility, not the hospital’s.”
He said, “I never went to MGM. The department staff went to bring the blood. Still, they asked me to write that I am responsible. I don’t understand why.”
Another child’s family recounted a similar experience.
The father, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that when they went to admit their child, the staff handed him the form and asked to write that the family would be responsible if anything happened to the patient. “They asked me to copy the same lines onto the admission form and sign in it,” he said.
He added that such demands began only after several thalassemia children contracted HIV following a transfusion at the hospital.
“First they made a big mistake and gave those children HIV, now they want other patients to take responsibility for anything that happens. They are putting the blame on the patients and their families,” he alleged.
He also claimed that when his wife inquired about a new procedure, one nurse reached out to another for clarification, but the second nurse “pinched her”, suggesting they should stay silent.
When contacted, Civil Surgeon Bharti Minz said she would check the matter with the blood bank staff.
However, after families contacted SDO Topno, he clarified that it is inappropriate to ask patients to write such things on their forms and he has ordered the blood bank staff to stop this immediately.
Topno told The Indian Express that he has discussed this with the doctor concerned and asked him to take immediate action.
Share
