Commission of Inquiry hears last testimony
The Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the transfer of HIV blood to three patients at the K.H.M.H. between March twenty-eighth and April first has concluded its public hearings. Between the period June fourth to eleventh the three-man commission has heard testimony from nine witnesses, two of whom had to be recalled to offer additional information. Those two were director of the Central Medical Lab Trudy Tillett, and supervisor of the Blood Bank Joy Charlie. Commission chairman Sir George Brown said he found it necessary to call them a second time.
Ann-Marie Williams
“How crucial were the two witnesses why they were recalled?”
Sir George Brown, Chairman, Commission of Inquiry
“One in particular was very important because we got some supportive evidence. There was conflicting evidence between two of our main witnesses and it did give us some supportive evidence of one. I can’t say which one it is, but it did give that type of thing. We have to look for confirmation of one against the other to be satisfied because it’s not only the words of one witness. As we said, we have to draw inferences and also seek out supporting evidence from other witnesses.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“The public is expecting that these hearing will come to a logical conclusion and thereby whoever is to be blamed should be named. Will it come to that or will conclusions just be drawn?”
Sir George Brown
“As I said, we make a report to the Prime Minister. Following that, he will decide what public report will be made. We will make a conclusive report, but it is then up to the Prime Minister. It’s not like a court where we would come back to the public and say this is our decision. We’ll give that to Prime Minister and We will make our recommendations, of course.”
What is important to note is that the Commission has to figure out if indeed a telephone conversation did or did not take place between senior lab technician Leona Garbutt and phlebotomist Marjorie Mariano to give the go ahead to use the blood, which was unscreened. Another point of conflict has to do with Tillett giving the okay to lab technologist Jovencio Chan to retest the entire blood run for March twenty-ninth and thirty-first. That run included blood bags 461 and 463, which were contaminated. Chan says he was told by Tillett to retest, while Tillett told the Commission she cannot remember. The report should be compiled by Thursday at the latest and will then be forwarded to the Prime Minister, who will take whatever action he sees fit.
