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There Is An Urgent Need To Review All The Screening Procedures For HIV In Blood Products In Malaysia Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the incident in which a 47-year-old homemaker was given HIV-contaminated blood in Alor Star. 17 May 2000 | |||||||
| Human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS, which is an incurable disease. It spreads into a pandemic. It is transmitted by sexual contact and blood products. Last month, a 47-year-old homemaker received HIV-tainted blood at the Jitra Hospital, Kedah, Malaysia. Apparently, two pints of blood were given to the patient for period pain. The hospital has apologized to the victim. While the victim is receiving treatment, the Health Ministry has set up an independent team to investigate the mistake. The Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahahtir Mohamad has urged the authority to study the incident so as to ensure that there will not be a second case. From this furore, it is natural that people would like to know how it happened and the remedy to prevent a recurrence. Although she is receiving treatment the woman may take up to | |
nine years to develop AIDS with various infections such as serious pneumonia and cancers. We may have sophisticated equipment and trained personnel to detect HIV, mistake can still happen. This is seen in other countries, such as U.S.A., France and Australia. Even the American tennis champion Arthur Ashe was transfused with HIV-contaminated blood during an operation, albeit in the early period of the spread of the disease. The tests for HIV usually depend on the formation of antibody after exposure to the virus. This may take two weeks to several months. Meanwhile, all Malaysian transfusion centres must review their screening procedures for blood products to be certain that none contains HIV. No doubt, the Government would have to take appropriate action once the result of the full enquiry is known. The victim and the public demand effective measures.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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