Probe underway after compromised blood given to patients

An incident involving the administration of compromised blood to thalassemia patients has been reported at a treatment centre.

According to available information, the issue arose after a malfunction in a refrigerator used for blood storage at the Thalassemia Centre on Sunday night.

Blood packets stored in the affected unit were later administered to three patients who attended the centre the following morning for transfusions.

Concerns have been raised regarding the delay in informing the affected individuals.

Director General of the Maldivian Blood Services, Ahmeem Farish, said the malfunction was identified and steps were taken to transfer blood to another storage unit. He said arrangements were also made to obtain fresh blood on the same night.

Farish stated that the blood was administered as doctors and some nursing staff on duty the next morning had not been informed of the issue.

He acknowledged that there was a delay in notifying the family of one of the patients.

“The priority of this institution is to apologise and to meet with the families to explain the situation,” he said.

Farish added that efforts are being made to procure equipment and storage units to avoid similar incidents. He also said measures will be introduced to ensure that patients and families are informed of such matters without delay.