B.Ooluun
According to official information, 83 HIV cases have been recorded in Mongolia. Last week, information was blasted by the press that blood from a donor with HIV had been used in transfusions to 14 patients, shocking the public. The Health Ministry and relevant health organizations declared this information to be baseless and incorrect. During a press conference, N. Khurelbaatar, State Secretary at the Health Ministry, S. Togsdelger, head of the Regulatory Department for Social Health Policy Implementation (RDSHPI), and Kh.Surenkhand, Deputy Director at the National Communicable Disease Studies Center (NCDSC) said, “When a donor come to give blood, our health organizations could reveal HIV infection early and closed the possibility of using such blood for transfusions. The infected donor’s blood has not been used and such incorrect information has the result of decreasing the number of donors.”
However, when journalists asked about the reasons for hiding this information from the public despite a donor revealing HIV infection and whether blood taken earlier from such a donor was really healthy and reliable, S. Togsdelger from the RDSHPI responded, “We promptly report all new HIV cases. However, we must not give detailed information as this affects national security, legislation and human rights. It is not obligatory to report when a blood donor has been found HIV positive.”
In his interview by the Ardyn Erkh Daily, P. Ulaankhuu, chief at the National Hematology Center, said “It is true that a blood donor had been found to have become HIV infected. When his blood was tested in August he was found to be HIV positive. This donor had previously given blood more than 10 times.
However the disease has not been transmitted to others through blood from the HIV-infected donor. Every time a donor gives blood, they are tested. HIV had not been found from blood given earlier by this donor. In addition a blood sample routinely stored for a year had been re-tested without any HIV symptoms found. Furthermore, patients who had received transfusions of this healthy after donor’s blood had been confirmed undergoing blood tests. All equipment being used in Mongolia is internationally accepted and confidential. We revealed the donor’s HIV status, but did not use his infected blood for transfusions to other people.”
In response to the question of hiding the information from the public, Mr. Ulaankhuu explained, “The donor diagnosed at our Center on August 25. It took a few days to check whether or not his blood was HIV-infected. Blood previously donated by this person was also re-tested, after which patients who had received transfusions of this donor’s blood were tested. It was confirmed that these people had not been infected with HIV. All the test results had been submitted to the Health Ministry and were reported to the National Security Council. This took two months. There is nothing to hide. A person was found to have become HIV-infected and there is no obligation to inform the public, but they were informed that the 80th HIV case had been recorded. If HIV had been transmitted, I would not be sitting here and even Government would have been dismissed.”
In regard to information that a blood donor had been found HIV positive, the number of donors have decreased considerably, resulting in a lack of blood reserves. As at October 19, the the National Hematology Center had a 3-day reserve. P.Ulaankhuu said the Center has 890 units of blood in reserve; but should have more than 1,500 units. The Health Ministry has issued an appeal for blood donors, the Ministry’s State Secretary N. Khurelbaatar saying, “The Center is almost out of blood and blood products and emergency medical care operations are failing. Therefore, the appeal is being made urging donors to help prevent health
deterioration. This deed is not dangerous for people giving blood. It is kindness and generosity to others.
There is also no need for patients’ fear because blood from HIVinfected donors is not being used in transfusions to anyone else
In response to the question of hiding the information from the public, Mr. Ulaankhuu explained, “The donor diagnosed at our Center on August 25. It took a few days to check whether or not his blood was HIV-infected. Blood previously donated by this person was also re-tested, after which patients who had received transfusions of this donor’s blood were tested. It was confirmed that these people had not been infected with HIV. All the test results had been submitted to the Health Ministry and were reported to the National Security Council. This took two months. There is nothing to hide. A person was found to have become HIV-infected and there is no obligation to inform the public, but they were informed that the 80th HIV case had been recorded. If HIV had been transmitted, I would not be sitting here and even Government would have been dismissed.”
In regard to information that a blood donor had been found HIV positive, the number of donors have decreased considerably, resulting in a lack of blood reserves. As at October 19, the the National Hematology Center had a 3-day reserve. P.Ulaankhuu said the Center has 890 units of blood in reserve; but should have more than 1,500 units. The Health Ministry has issued an appeal for blood donors, the Ministry’s State Secretary N. Khurelbaatar saying, “The Center is almost out of blood and blood products and emergency medical care operations are failing. Therefore, the appeal is being made urging donors to help prevent health
deterioration. This deed is not dangerous for people giving blood. It is kindness and generosity to others.
There is also no need for patients’ fear because blood from HIVinfected donors is not being used in transfusions to anyone else
source: 'mongol messenger' newspaper
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