P.M. says blood is safe, donates a pint

In Belize, photo opportunities for the news media and politicians are usually confined to ground breaking ceremonies, ribbon cuttings or the ever popular handing over of a computer. But this morning Prime Minister Said Musa acted more in the tradition of Tony Blair than George Price when he bravely strode into the Central Medical Laboratory, rolled up his sleeve and donated a pint of blood. The gesture was part of a tour of the lab facilities hosted by Minister of Health Jose Coye. The visit, in the midst of an official inquiry into the transfusion of three hospital patients with HIV infected blood, was a strong statement designed to bolster morale at the government lab and at the same time show the public that it is not only safe to receive blood, but donating it is a civic duty. According to the Prime Minister, despite the presence of the cameras, this was no publicity stunt.

Prime Minister Said Musa

“I believe that if we preach out there and lecture people about giving blood, then we should set the example.”

Stewart Krohn

“It was at your behest that the Commission of Inquiry was formed to investigate the transfusion of HIV positive blood to two people. In your mind, even though you have not received a report yet, is there any doubt as to the safety of the facilities at the K.H.M.H. or the country as a whole with regard to blood?”

Prime Minister Said Musa

“No, I don’t entertain any doubt that we don’t have a safe system. Clearly in any system, whether it be a developed or developing country, you will find that mistakes will be made from time to time or human error will occur, perhaps negligence, we don’t know yet. And also of course in our case, we may find that there is clearly a need to upgrade equipment and the whole system; but would say, I feel very safe.”