Ludhiana (Punjab), July 9 (IANS) Around 30 thalassaemic patients have been administered Hepatitis C-infected blood in various cities of Punjab, a hospital said Saturday.


The thalassaemia patients, who require regular transfusion of blood, are currently admitted at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here.

“There are around 30 thalassaemic patients who were given infected blood at various blood banks across the state. They have tested positive for Hepatitis C during the screening examination conducted at DMCH recently,” in-charge of the thalassaemia wing of the hospital, Praveen Sobti, said.

“The union health ministry has made it mandatory for blood banks to conduct Hepatitis C tests of blood donors. But many people do not adhere to the rules. We are trying our level best to treat the 30 patients, who are between 5 to 26 years. Hepatitis C virus causes damage to the liver,” Sobti added.

According to DMCH officials, the patients were administered infected blood in various parts of the state, including Jalandhar, Moga, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Faridkot and Amritsar.

“Monthly expense for the treatment of a thalassaemic patient go up to Rs.4,000. However, treatment of Hepatitis C for a thalassaemic patient would cost above Rs.2 lakh. We are contacting various NGOs and pharmaceutical companies and seeking their help,” a DCMH official said.

Ludhiana, the industrial hub of Punjab, is around 100 km away from state capital Chandigarh.