MANILA, Philippines – More units of donated blood have been found to be positive for the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.
Data from the Philippine HIV-AIDS Registry in February indicated that more than one in every five blood units they have tested has been contaminated with HIV.
“Out of the 67 blood units referred for HIV confirmation, 15 units were positive for HIV and 50 units were negative for HIV and two units had indeterminate results,” the report said.
But government health experts clarified that the 15 HIV-positive units do not automatically translate to 15 people since one blood donor can donate more than one blood unit.
Based on the same report released last Friday, there was one reported HIV case acquired through blood transfusion.
Dr. Gerard Belimac, DOH – National AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention and Control Program manager, however, insisted that it is very rare that a “contaminated” blood had been transfused to another person.
The health official said they are now in the process of investigating the recently reported transfusion of HIV-contaminated blood.
Belimac said they have already identified the concerned hospital.
He however declined to identify it but said it is situated outside Metro Manila.
He then asked the public to help the DOH to prevent a repeat of such case by refraining from giving “doubtful” blood donations.
“Our main message to the public is that if they were exposed to risky behaviors, please avoid donating blood because you could be donating your blood to your loved ones, to your friends,” Belimac said. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
June 2025
Philippine Environment Month!
“Action for Nature, for the Future!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
1 Jun – World Day of Parents
5 Jun – World Environment Day
7 Jun – World Food Safety Day
8 Jun – World Oceans Day
12 Jun – World Day Against
Child Labour
15 Jun – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16 Jun – International Day of Family Remittances
17 Jun – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
20 Jun – World Refugee Day
25 Jun – Day of the Seafarer
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Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
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