Calcutta: Tainted HIV test kits in use weeks after bust

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Tainted kits in use weeks after bust

A STAFF REPORTER

Calcutta, Oct. 21: Sleuths probing the case of faulty kits supplied

by Calcutta-based businessman Govind Sarda have found that these

were being used by several state-run hospitals and regional blood

transfusion centres till last week.

Officials engaged in the probe established this while examining

documents and registers in hospitals in Siliguri, Bankura and

Burdwan.

Police had conducted raids on these hospitals in the last few days

and said they would continue so that more expired and faulty kits

supplied by Sarda's firm Monozyme India could be seized.

" Preliminary investigations revealed that kits supplied by Sarda

were used in a couple of blood banks even after the malpractice came

to light. Our officers have been collecting papers to find out

more, " said Gyanwant Singh, deputy commissioner of police (detective

department).

" Right now, our priority is to seize all the kits supplied by Sarda

over the past one-and-a-half years. We have to alert all the blood

banks and hospitals to seal kits by Monozyme India, " Singh added.

A fresh effort has been initiated to trace those who could have been

infected with fatal diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

after going through blood transfusion following tests done with

Sarda's kits.

" Thousands of people across the state could have been given

contaminated blood that was tested with faulty kits during the past

one year, " said an officer attached to the anti-fraud wing of the

detective department. " It is a very difficult task to identify the

victims. We have asked the blood banks and hospital authorities to

provide details that may help us trace the victims. "

The police have also urged people to contact them if they suspect

they have received contaminated blood.

The extent of the damage that might have been caused came to light

after two employees of Sarda's firm disclosed the malpractice to the

police in early September. This led to the arrest of Sarda and two

of his associates.

A probe revealed that he supplied lakhs of kits to the West Bengal

State AIDS Prevention and Control Society that had either crossed

their expiry dates or had been tampered with.

These kits are used to test the blood collected at seven centres in

the state to check for HIV and Hepatitis B and C viruses.

The police are awaiting a Delhi-based laboratory's report where

samples of the faulty kits were sent for examination.

" Samples will also be sent to the Central Forensic Science

Laboratory and the reports will be matched with those sent by the

Delhi laboratory. Thereafter, we will seek expert opinion, " said

city police commissioner Prasun Mukherjee.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061022/asp/bengal/story_6902515.asp