At least 2,234 Indians have contracted HIV while receiving blood transfusions in hospitals in the past 17 months alone, say officials.

The information was revealed by the country's National Aids Control Organisation (Naco) in response to a petition filed by information activist Chetan Kothari.

Mr Khothari told the BBC that he was "shocked" by the revelation.

India has more than two million people living with HIV/Aids.

The highest number of patients who had been infected with HIV as a result of contaminated blood in hospitals, were from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh with 361 cases, Mr Kothari's RTI (Right to Information) query revealed.

The western states of Gujarat with 292 cases and Maharashtra with 276 cases rank second and third respectively.

The Indian capital Delhi is at number four with 264 cases.

"This is the official data, provided by the government-run Naco. I believe the real numbers would be double or triple that," Mr Kothari told the BBC.

Under law, it is mandatory for hospitals to screen donors and the donated blood for HIV, hepatitis B and C, malaria and other infections.

"But each such test costs 1,200 rupees ($18; £12) and most hospitals in India do not have the testing facilities. Even in a big city like Mumbai, only three private hospitals have HIV testing facilities. Even the largest government hospitals do not have the technology to screen blood for HIV," Mr Kothari said.

"This is a very serious matter and must be addressed urgently," he added.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36417789

gobe ..

Most certainly, none of Jehovah's witnesses were infected.

....not good at all....
This error is way too gross....

BIBLESPEAKS:
Most certainly, none of Jehovah's witnesses were infected.

Clap your hands then. And peeps that get infected via tooth extraction and other means.

.

This made me remember my operation at LUTH, I rejected blood being used during the operation, though the operation was postponed for a little while, they eventually agreed to do it and I survived it, still alive till today.
A man beside me did the same operation, he had his before mine and took blood, the operation was successful , but the blood killed him!

dolphinheart:
This made me remember my operation at LUTH, I rejected blood being used during the operation, though the operation was postponed for a little while, they eventually agreed to do it and I survived it, still alive till today.
A man beside me did the same operation, he had his before mine and took blood, the operation was successful , but the blood killed him!

Sad but true. We must obey God rather than men. Blood less surgery is a globally acceptable best practices in Medicare.