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| India hospital transfusions infect thousands with HIV | India hospital transfusions infect thousands with HIV |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least 2,234 Indians have contracted the deadly HIV virus while receiving blood transfusions in hospitals in the past 17 months alone. | At least 2,234 Indians have contracted the deadly HIV virus while receiving blood transfusions in hospitals in the past 17 months alone. |
| The information was revealed by the country's National Aids Control Organisation (Naco) in response to a petition filed by information activist Chetan Kothari. | The information was revealed by the country's National Aids Control Organisation (Naco) in response to a petition filed by information activist Chetan Kothari. |
| Mr Khothari told the BBC that he was "shocked" by the revelation. | |
| India has around 2.09 million people living with HIV/Aids. | India has around 2.09 million people living with HIV/Aids. |
| The highest number of patients who had been infected with HIV as a result of contaminated blood in hospitals, were from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh with 361 cases, Mr Kothari's RTI (Right to Information) query revealed. | The highest number of patients who had been infected with HIV as a result of contaminated blood in hospitals, were from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh with 361 cases, Mr Kothari's RTI (Right to Information) query revealed. |
| The western states of Gujarat with 292 cases and Maharashtra with 276 cases rank second and third respectively. | The western states of Gujarat with 292 cases and Maharashtra with 276 cases rank second and third respectively. |
| The Indian capital Delhi is at number four with 264 cases. | The Indian capital Delhi is at number four with 264 cases. |
| "This is the official data, provided by the government-run Naco. I believe the real numbers would be double or triple that," Mr Kothari told the BBC. | "This is the official data, provided by the government-run Naco. I believe the real numbers would be double or triple that," Mr Kothari told the BBC. |
| Under law, it is mandatory for hospitals to screen donors and the donated blood for HIV, hepatitis B and C, malaria and other infections. | Under law, it is mandatory for hospitals to screen donors and the donated blood for HIV, hepatitis B and C, malaria and other infections. |
| "But each such test costs 1,200 rupees ($18; £12) and most hospitals in India do not have the testing facilities. Even in a big city like Mumbai, only three private hospitals have HIV testing facilities. Even the largest government hospitals do not have the technology to screen blood for HIV," Mr Kothari said. | "But each such test costs 1,200 rupees ($18; £12) and most hospitals in India do not have the testing facilities. Even in a big city like Mumbai, only three private hospitals have HIV testing facilities. Even the largest government hospitals do not have the technology to screen blood for HIV," Mr Kothari said. |
| "This is a very serious matter and must be addressed urgently," he added. | "This is a very serious matter and must be addressed urgently," he added. |