The Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS) plans to propose to the government that all future blood donors in the State record their biometric details so that issues related to fake credentials are addressed and timely medical care is provided to those who test HIV-positive during the screening process.

The proposal comes close on the heels of a pregnant woman being transfused with HIV-infected blood donated by a youth in Sivakasi government blood bank, and raised questions over the present screening process.

The move is also to ensure timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to donors who test positive for HIV. About two dozen donors tested positive for HIV during 2015-18.

“We are going to propose to the government to have a programme to capture the biometrics of blood donors,” Project Director, TANSACS, K Senthil Raj told PTI .

Of the two dozen donors, some were untraceable, a section of them did not cooperate and others had provided fake identity and false contact details, he said.

“In such cases, biometrics will help identify and bring them into the system by doing a test to confirm the presence of the virus through informed consent,” he said.

After the test, if the results were positive again, counselling and later ART could be initiated. “Timely initiation of ART and strict adherence to the regimen is the key to tackling HIV. Biometrics will not only help initiation of ART at the right time but will offer additional help to avoid transfusion of infected blood,” he pointed out.

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