3 received HIV plasma, one left alive
The Ministry of Health has revealed more details on the latest case of HIV tainted blood that was inadvertently released for public use. Spokesman Glenn Tillett told News 5’s Jacqueline Woods that the fatal plasma was given to a total of three patients.
Glenn Tillett, P.R. Officer, Min. of Health
“The investigation has concluded that blood which was donated at the Southern Regional Hospital in September 2000, and which tested positive for the presence of HIV on September twenty-second, was subsequently used in transfusions to three patients at the Southern Regional Hospital; in October of 2000, April of 2001 and in May of 2001.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Now of the three persons transfused, we know one has died, that is baby Ashton Chun. Has the Ministry of Health been able to locate the other two patients?”
Glenn Tillett
“We have determined who were the other two patients, and our instructions at this point from the Solicitor General precludes us from revealing any details about the other patients.”
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
But a press release from the Ministry of Health reveals that one of the patients who received the bad blood died forty-five minutes after being transfused from conditions unrelated to the bad blood, and on September sixteenth, 2002, baby Ashton Chun died due to bronchial pneumonia. Authorities are still trying to ascertain the location and condition of the third patient, who is still alive.
Jacqueline Woods
“Now from what I gathered from the media briefing last week Friday, this whole incident was as a result of breakdown in communication. Explain to us the process, what should have happened when a blood sample was taken from the donor.”
Glenn Tillett
“The system as it was set up then, was that when blood is taken from a donor a sample is sent to the Central Medical Laboratory for testing. After that sample is tested, a report should be sent back to the…in this case, the Southern Regional Hospital indicating whether the blood was usable or not. We are being told that the technologists at the Southern Regional Hospital at the time called the lab and thought she was told that the samples were good and subsequently used them without waiting on the hard copy.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So it was a communication between a technician from Central Medical Lab and one at Southern Regional Hospital.”
Glenn Tillett
“I’m not sure who it was that was communicated with at the laboratory. The lab at this point have no record of the communication.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Will anyone be held responsible for this incident?”
Glenn Tillett
“I am sure accountability will be assigned and the matter will be dealt with as an administrative matter by the ministry. If it will be dealt with as a legal matter, that will be the decision of the Solicitor General.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Now following last week’s briefing, we were made to understand that Ashton’s parents met with Minister Jose Coye. Can you discuss with us exactly what was talked about?”
Glenn Tillett
“The minister had an extended meeting with the family of Ashton Chun in which he assured them that the ministry would continue its efforts to ascertain what had happened to Ashton Chun. That we would leave, in his words, no stone unturned and no effort unmade, to make sure that it had not happened to anyone else and that it does not happen to anyone else. He also discussed their situation in terms of their bills et cetera, and assured them of the government’s support, the ministry’s support in helping them through their time bereavement.”
Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
A team consisting of senior Ministry of Health officials began investigating the incident when the matter was brought to their attention in late September. Today, the ministry says that since May, 2001, all test results be communicated in writing and that the system is subject to constant monitoring. The ministry stresses to the public that the nation’s blood supply remains safe.
