A comprehensive probe has been ordered into the operations of a Blood Bank in Kingston, Jamaica following claims last week of irregularities that threaten the integrity of its testing and processing regimen.
In a media statement late on Sunday evening, Jamaica’s Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said the reports of “irregularities at the Blood Bank have come to the attention of the executive management in the ministry, and we are deeply concerned and have asked that an investigation be conducted immediately.
“The report of a process error is of great concern. However, the ministry reassures the public that no contaminated blood product was issued arising out of this,” the minister said.
Tufton added that the National Blood Transfusion Service continues to process blood products using international standards and that the facility’s processing of blood products provided to the population was detailed and included screening of all blood for infectious markers.
