Reshmi’s death triggers debate on need to set up NAT labs

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Reshmi's death triggers debate on need to set up NAT labs

Tuesday April 4 2006 14:19 IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government is under pressure to

introduce advanced blood tests such as antigen and Nucleic Acid

Tests (NAT) following the unfortunate death of 21-month-old Reshmi

who had contracted HIV for no fault of hers.

The doctors feel that the blood transfusion system in the state is

not fool proof and hence there is an urgent need for adopting the

most advanced HIV testing facilities at the blood banks, at least in

the medical college hospitals (MCHs).

The Indian Medical Association is of the view that the State

Government should take the initiative to bring in Antigen tests and

Nucleic Acid Tests (324-Antigen) in government medical college

hospitals to avoid such unfortunate incidents in future. Similar

labs have been set up in Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi.

" When Kerala boasts of high standards in health sector, it should

also acquire latest technologies to save the lives of innocent

people, " said Dr lin, president, IMA-Thiruvananthapuram

chapter.

Reshmi, who had acquired the virus allegedly after a blood

transfusion in a city hospital, was given blood thrice from the

Medical College Hospital here. But the inquiry conducted by the

Director of Medical Education had given a clean chit to the blood

bank and the SUT Hospital where the blood transfusion was done.

Experts feel that she was exposed to the virus either at the private

hospital where she was born or the blood donor was on a `window'

period, when the virus escapes the common tests.

" If the donor is in the window period the virus takes at least a

week to produce antibodies in blood. With the existing testing

facilities available here, it is nearly impossible to trace out the

virus, " said Dr lin.

During the window period the virus stands elusive under the

test, which is normally done at the blood banks here.

Experts say that if tests like NAT are made available here, the

virus can be traced out even during the window period.

" Since these tests are very costly, we urged the government to take

up the initiative to start a NAT lab at least in the MCH, " Dr N

Zulfi, IMA office-bearer said.

Around 150 to 250 people donate blood daily at the MCH here.

According to the NACS statistics, HIV transmission is rampant

through blood transfusion in India. Till July 2005, 2,231 people had

been affected this way in the country.

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