The Madras High Court has directed officials to videograph the autopsy of a teenager, who allegedly committed suicide recently after he came to know that he had donated HIV-infected blood which was later transfused to a pregnant woman. The order was issued by Justice B Pugalendi to the Dean of Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), while hearing a petition filed by the youth's mother.
The court also said that the autopsy be conducted at the GRH in the presence of two assistant professors from medical colleges of neighbouring districts.
The judge said it was a special case. The 19-year-old did not know he was HIV positive and had donated blood on November 30. He found out only after he underwent a medical check-up days later as a requirement for a foreign job.
Following the incident of HIV transfusion to a five-month pregnant woman that sent shockwaves to the entire State, another woman from Mangadu, came out and disclosed that she was also infected with AIDS virus. The woman, who was undergoing treatment in Mangadu PHC was suggested of transfusion at KMC in April as her haemoglobin was recorded to be insuffiecient. She was given two units of blood and was discharged after 10 days. The test reports before transfusion revealed her to be HIV negative and when it was repeated four months later in August, she was found to be positive of the test. However, the child she gave birth to was found to be negative. Officials however rejected her claim and said HIV affected blood was not transfused to her.
