Detention for technician in HIV blood transfusion case extended again

Criminal Court has granted an extra 15 days of detention for the laboratory technician accused of negligence over the transfusion of HIV positive blood to a pregnant woman at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on 2 February.

Police media official said detention for Rajesh Baskaran, 32, from Kerala, India, was extended for the second time last Sunday.

Deputy CEO of IGMH Dr Mohamed Habeeb said that Rajesh is being accused of negligence for writing the donor’s blood as HIV negative, after the test showed the blood to be HIV positive.

Dr Habeeb said that the suspect confessed to negligence in the wrongful transfusion, but said that he also said it was not done on purpose.