Doc suspended, two others sacked for botched blood transfusion

Odisha government today placed a doctor under suspension and sacked two employees of VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) for alleged transfusion of infected blood to two patients admitted to the hospital.

Citing administrative lapses, the Health and Family Welfare department suspended VIMSAR Blood Bank in-charge Rajendra Kumar Patnaik and dismissed a laboratory technician and a data entry operator attached to the blood bank from service.

The action came after reports of botched blood transfusion came to the fore. According to reports, two patients undergoing treatment at the premier government-run medical college and hospital were allegedly transfused HIV and Hepatitis C blood.
While ELISA test report of one sample ruled out Hepatitis C infection, suspense over the other sample prevails as the report would be available to the authorities on Monday which they have refused to divulge the findings, further deepening the mystery.
The VIMSAR officials have stated that the report would be shared with the concerned authorities.
Notably, a 60-year-old patient from Brajarajnagar was admitted to the hospital on June 12 for leg surgery. Another person hailing from Rairakhole was admitted to surgery ward of the hospital on June 9 due to stomach pain and he was allegedly transfused with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected blood.
Following the botched blood transfusion came to fore, a 4-member committee was formed under Pathology department head Dr Kailash Agarwal to probe the incident. The Superintendent of the hospital Braja Mohan Mishra on Thursday had asked the Committee to submit the report within 72 hours.
It may be mentioned that the Committee has already submitted a preliminary report to the Health Secretary on Thursday.