KATH assures public of safety over contaminated blood saga

Management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), has confirmed that initial laboratory test conducted on the samples of the alleged contaminated blood issued by its Blood Bank have proved otherwise.

Mr. Kwame Frimpong, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, their findings would, however, be subjected to further test and independent verification in conformity with standard medical practices.

“We have done a scientific medical analysis on the said blood and the initial results proved negative, but we are also working with other relevant health-related institutions for their independent reports,” he insisted.

The development comes in the wake of an alleged issuance of contaminated blood to a client by the Hospital, of which the authorities had set up a five-member committee to probe the issue.

The Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had since taken over the issue, and has invited some KATH authorities for questioning, as well as the one making the allegation.

They had also taken samples of the alleged contaminated blood and forwarded them to the Forensics Laboratory to aid them in their investigations.

Mr. Evans Addo-Kwabla, in a Facebook post alleged that the Hospital sold two units of blood infested with HIV and Syphilis pathogens to his mum.

The state of the contaminated blood was allegedly discovered after screening at the Kean Health Center, a private medical facility.

Mr. Frimpong told the GNA that “the allegation under reference is only based on alleged screening test done on the blood at a private clinic, and not on confirmatory tests as required under the protocol for handling such cases”.

“We believe in the integrity of our healthcare system,” he emphasized, saying the public should not panic over the issue, but continue to seek medical care when and where necessary.