Jharkhand BJP demands CBI probe after HIV-contaminated blood scandal

The Jharkhand BJP has intensified its criticism of the state government following the revelation that thalassemia patients at Chaibasa Sadar Hospital were transfused with HIV-infected blood, resulting in fatalities. The party organised a state-wide protest and submitted a memorandum to the Governor through district authorities, demanding a CBI investigation and strict punishment for officials found responsible.

Addressing a campaign rally in Ghatshila ahead of the Assembly bypoll, BJP state president and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi condemned the Hemant Soren government for what he described as “reckless and insensitive” governance. He said, “Poor patients visit government hospitals seeking life, but they are served death instead.”

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Marandi pointed to earlier warnings issued by the Central government on January 13, 2021, regarding the unsafe operations of blood banks in the state. “Despite repeated alerts that unlicensed blood banks were operating and the blood trade was rampant, the state government failed to act. Today, this negligence has cost lives,” he said.

The memorandum, submitted to Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, alleged widespread corruption within the health department, including irregular tendering, procurement of substandard materials, and unchecked sale of restricted medicines. It urged the dismissal of the Health Minister and jail sentences for all officials implicated in the scandal. The BJP also demanded that the state’s blood banks be investigated under the supervision of a sitting High Court judge or by the CBI.

Meanwhile, Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy raised concerns over transparency in the state’s health administration. In a letter to the Health, Medical Education, and Family Welfare Minister, he questioned why the department has repeatedly failed to provide him with the report of a three-member inquiry committee on drug procurement, despite repeated assurances in the Assembly.

Roy pointed out that the department instructed the Jharkhand Medical and Health Infrastructure Development and Procurement Corporation Limited (JMHDIPCL) to purchase drugs directly from central government public sector manufacturers at higher rates, bypassing competitive bidding. He said this practice has inflated costs, benefitting intermediaries rather than patients, and called for full transparency in all drug procurement through tenders.

“The state health department is withholding information from an elected legislator despite repeated requests. Such opacity raises serious questions about governance and accountability,” Roy wrote, urging the minister to provide the inquiry report and ensure adherence to transparent procurement procedures.

The BJP’s protest and Roy’s letter underline growing discontent over the handling of health services in Jharkhand, amid mounting public concern over patient safety and corruption in state hospitals.