Fear Grips KATH Patients …Over HIV Infested Blood

Patients receiving healthcare at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) are still in shock over reports of an alleged issuance of contaminated blood to a patient at the hospital.

KATH, one of the country’s premier health facilities, had over the weekend been accused by one Addo-Kwabla Evans of selling some pints of ‘HIV-Syphilis’ infested blood to his mother.

Speaking to some patients at the hospital, THE PUBLISHER gathers that, while some patients may want to completely refuse a transfusion, others want a second and probably a third check of blood before use.

For them, the aim of transfusion is to prolong lives not to plunge the ailing into greater complications and possible death.

Matter unfolding

In a Facebook post on November 30, 2018, Addo-Kwabla Evans wrote; “Oh what a Ghana we live in. Blood bought from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital blood bank (meant for my mum) is proved by Kean Health centre as syphilis and HIV positive. Please share this post to help save lives. It’s my mum today; tomorrow it could be you or a relative.”

KATH

 The leadership of KATH has since come to the defence of the hospital saying, blood from its bank is safe as it passes through “stringent blood testing protocol” while maintaining the highest standard for blood safety.

In a press statement released on November 1, 2018, Head of Public Affairs, Kwame Frimpong, said KATH has taken a serious view of the report under reference and has in turn, set up a five-member committee to investigate the veracity or otherwise of the allegation.

“The committee’s membership will among others include representatives from the National public health reference laboratory, the Ghana Police Service, the food and Drugs Authority and the National Aids Control Programme to guarantee an independent investigation,” the statement read.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of Ghana Police Services in the Ashanti Region has also taken over investigations into the matter.

To carry out comprehensive investigations, the complainants have been asked to release the blood in question.

The hospital further urged the general public to remain calm as everything is being done to ensure speedy investigation into the matter.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey
[email protected]