More units of donated blood positive for HIV

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)