HIV-infected blood was not used for transfusion

Officials from the Ministry of Health and related organizations have denied rumors that 14 patients received transfusion of blood from an HIV-infected donor. Among those who spoke to journalists were N.Khurelbaatar, State Secretary of the Ministry; S.Tugsdelger, Chief of the Social Health Policy Implementation Coordinating Board; S.Enkhbold, Chief of the Information Control Research and Estimation Board; Kh.Surenkhand, Deputy Director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID); N.Gantumur, Chief of the HIV and AIDS Research and Observation Office at the NCID; and P.Ulaankhuu, Chief of the National Center for Blood Analysis.

They explained that tests had identified about two months ago that the blood had the virus and it was never used. Journalists wanted to know why the donor’s identity had not been revealed and why a donor’s health status is not checked before taking blood. S.Tugsdelger said such public identification of an HIV-infected individual is against national security, and also violated the law and human rights.

P.Ulaankhuu said Mongolia has 83 recorded cases of HIV infection and this particular donor is No. 80 and had tested positive in August. He has been donating blood for three years and on every of the previous occasions, the blood had been found safe. He assured media that equipment and practices relating to blood transfusion in Mongolia followed international standards.

source:www.news.mn