Lysed blood transfusion deaths: Report by April 22

The committee would study not only the maternal deaths due to lysed blood transmission in three government hospitals, but also the present state of blood banks in Tamil Nadu, said sources from the Directorate of Medical & Rural Health Services, adding that it would submit a report by April 22.

The State Health Department ordered a probe into the maternal deaths reported in Krishnagiri, Hosur and Dharmapuri after an internal audit by the department revealed that more than seven pregnant mothers died after they were transfused with lysed blood. This had raised serious questions about the government-run health institutions in the State that took pride in its public health infrastructure.

“The committee has been formed and includes senior officials, including transfusion specialists and additional director of medical and rural services. Members of the inquiry committee will visit the blood banks at the government hospitals in the three districts and look into their functioning. The involvement of medical staff, blood bank personnel, nurses and others will be analysed, and report will be submitted by April 22. We will improve the services at the blood bank based on the report,” said Director of Medical Education Dr Edwin Joe.

As per the audit report, the maternal deaths were due to storage of blood at unsuitable temperatures at the blood bank. Health secretary Beela Rajesh had ordered the Director of Medical Services to take criminal action against the accused, including three doctors and four nurses.