Supreme Court Seeks Details on NAT Testing Amid HIV Cases in Thalassemia Patients

The Supreme Court has sought details on the cost and availability of Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) in government hospitals to detect transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) like HIV and hepatitis. A PIL by the Sarvesham Mangalam Foundation urges mandatory NAT in all blood banks to ensure safe blood, highlighting risks faced by thalassemia patients who require frequent transfusions. Separately, two thalassemia patients in Faridabad tested HIV-positive after transfusions, prompting investigations into the infection source and initiation of antiretroviral therapy.