Dirty Blood

Getting health care and health care policy right is a continual battle for developed countries, as one hears cases of doctor and medical mishaps all to frequently, but one thing we have come to count on, at least here in the US, is that the blood transfusions we receive are clean and safe. A new World Bank study titled ‘Blood Services n Central Asian Health Systems– A Clear and Present Danger of Spreading HIV/AIDS and Other Infectious Diseases‘ reports that this is not so in many CA states. For a little background on Central Asia's HIV/AIDS problems here is a old write-up with some useful resources.

The World Bank study retested 7,500 blood donor samples from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and identified the prevalence of several infectious diseases; including .2% for HIV, 2.7% for Hepatitis B, 3% for Hepatitis C, and 3.6% for Syphilis. These results show that current donor screening methods in the region are not fully effective and need improvements quickly. In fact, the report found that some CA health facilities did not even test their blood donations at all!

Radio Free Europe reports that since 2006, hundreds of people, have been infected with HIV/AIDS by tainted blood in CA hospitals, including 149 children in Kazakhstan, 69 children in Kyrgyzstan, and several more in Tajikistan.

Patricio Marquez, the main author of the World Bank report, stated; “Numerous parts of these countries’ blood transfusion systems are in serious need of restructuring, of new investments and of increased budgetary support for operation and maintenance.” The reports official recommendations

A. Establishing nationally coordinated blood transfusion systems and universal unpaid blood donor systems

B. Optimizing laws, regulations, and donor promotion campaigns

C. Effective donor screening strategies, training of medical personnel, and the promotion of using blood and blood products

D. International support to assist the restructuring of these nations health care systems

Lastly, as we have discussed before, there are cultural constraints present in Central Asia (and in many other places in the world) that prevent an open discussion about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it and the lack of effective blood donor campaigns is a sad result of these beliefs and fears. The people who are mistakenly infected with tainted blood are one thing and one thing only, unfortunate victims, and should be treated with the utmost respect and care.

On a separate note, I would like to acknowledge the passing of Chingiz Aitmatov, a widely popular writer and statesman, who was buried in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan a couple days ago. Kyrg President Bakiev eloquently eulogized ‘One more star in the sky has faded; the heart that was filled with joy and sorrow, pure feelings and reams o not only the Kyrgyz nation but also of all the peoples of the world, has been stilled, has stopped.’

(Photo: Children were infected at hospitals in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (Source: RFE/RL)