10 thalassemic children test HIV positive in Pakistan

At least 10 thalassemic children aged between 5 and 16 in Pakistan have tested positive for HIV after allegedly receiving a transfusion of infected blood, a media report said.

"All the children tested positive for HIV," said Thalassemia Federation of Pakistan Secretary General Yasmin Rashid, Dawn online reported Wednesday.

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that prevents the production of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen to all parts of the body.

Anyone afflicted with the disorder needs regular red blood cell-infusions.