278 blood donors test HIV-positive in Tripura

The CAG report has fuelled fears that blood given from banks in the region could be infected with HIV.

At least 278 blood donors in Tripura were found to be HIV-positive, fuelling fears that blood supplied from blood banks in the region could be infected with the killer virus that causes AIDS.

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"Appropriate methods of testing are not followed and so blood supplied from blood banks are not considered fully safe against HIV infection," a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said.

"Of the 40 items of equipment required by blood banks, the available items at the time of the audit ranged from four to 12."

The CAG report followed the detection of 278 donors whose blood tested HIV-positive during laboratory tests.

Among those whose blood samples tested HIV-positive are 189 security personnel. The rest are civilians.