The @themohwgovjm has launched an investigation into allegations of professional misconduct in the management of the National Blood Transfusion Service. Among the most shocking allegations: Donor blood positive for HIV and other STDs is being dispatched to patients.
Sources at the Blood Bank, say there's a case on May 5, 2020, of a blood donor who started donating since 2013. They say the donor tested negative for Human T cell Leukemia Virus, HTLV 1&2, then tested positive in 2014. HTLV 1&2 are STDs which can cause cancer.
The sources say the woman, now considered a voluntary donor, then tested negative in 2019. In light of the patient's positive and negative history, the sources say an investigation was requested. But they say the patient's card with her relevant info had gone missing.
It was then discovered that there was no regular cleaning of the agency's machine, and that a material used in the machine could cause a false reading if the detection button was turned off. The sources say there've also been errors in recording patients' blood type.
The sources alleged wastage of "thousands of US dollars worth of chemicals" at the B Bank. The chemicals are used to operate the machine which tests if donated blood is infected. The sources say 1000s of US$ worth of the chemicals were found in a storeroom that expired since 2018
They also claim that several units of blood are being wasted, due to poor management. They say donor's red blood cells have a 35 day shelf life and at times,42 days based on use of additives. But sources say at times due to poor inventory, re-agents are not ordered in time...
and the shelf life of the donated blood expires and cannot be processed. The sources say those units of blood are discarded. But, they say it's not clear how many units of blood are being wasted, because there is no documentation.
The sources also say Medical Technologists interdicted due to media reports they've engaged in industrial action and a subsequent probe, have been replaced by untrained staff.
Permanent Secretary in the Health and Wellness Ministry, Dunstan Bryan, says the Ministry became aware of the allegations early this week.
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