More HIV-tainted donated blood found

MANILA, Philippines – More units of donated blood were found to be HIV-contaminated, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

Data from the DOH showed that one out of every four units of donated blood or 27 percent of the total donated in June turned out to be positive for the dreaded HIV.

“For June 2011, out of the 118 blood units referred for HIV confirmation, 32 units were positive for HIV, four units had indeterminate results and 82 were negative for HIV,” said the report.

It was the biggest volume of blood donation that tested positive for HIV in the first half of 2011 and the highest recorded in a month since 2008.

In January, 11 units of blood were found positive for HIV, 15 in February, 14 in March, 20 in April and 10 in May.

The DOH-National Epidemiology Center stressed, however, that the number of units tested positive for HIV does not mean there are as many individuals afflicted with the disease.

“One blood donor can donate more than one blood unit,” said the monthly report.

DOH-National AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention and Control Program Manager Dr. Gerard Belimac earlier appealed to the public to be responsible and conscientious in donating blood.

“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)