Although investigations are still underway, Reem Leila discovers that the scandal of contaminated blood bags has discouraged people from donating their blood Hani Sorour, MP and CEO of Hayedelena for Advanced Medical Industries Company (HAMIC), was questioned by the prosecutor-general last week for importing 300,000 contaminated blood bags to the Ministry of Health. Sorour is accused of creating a public health risk by supplying contaminated blood bags that did not meet the quality standards set by supervisory agencies. Prosecutor-General Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud banned Sorour from travelling 10 days ago, after his parliamentary immunity was revoked on charges of corruption. The investigation into the case continues, as a number of Health Ministry officials are being questioned. Health Minister Hatem El-Gabali had asserted earlier that no irregular or severe medical cases were recorded during the circulation of the company's blood bags between 21 May and 12 July, 2006. In the wake of the scandal, and the ensuing public concern over infected blood bags, El-Gabali said that, "although the matter is being blown out of proportion and has not caused any public health problems, corruption will not be tolerated." He stressed that his ministry had addressed the issue, long before it was revealed in the media. For his part, Sorour maintained his innocence, saying that the blood bags met international standards and that the issue is only about technicalities and specifications that can be taken care of. The prime suspect in the blood bag scandal told Al-Ahram Weekly that he was the victim of a conspiracy against Egypt's pharmaceutical industry and Egyptian investors. "My international firms have been awarded ISO certificates for the last eight years, and our European customers are fully satisfied with our products," he argued. "Meanwhile, the factory in Egypt will soon obtain the ISO certificate which will be valid until 2015." In an emotional statement published in the press, Sorour said he was the victim of machinations by his opponent in last year's parliamentary elections. "In the past 20 years, no government or private hospital in Egypt, or abroad, has rejected our products," he stated. "I have presented all the documents which will prove my innocence." Based upon a request by head of the Public Funds Prosecution Ali El-Hawari, a report was prepared by almost 20 university professors on the issue of contaminated blood bags. The report concluded that HAMIC blood bags were infected with bacteria and fungi, as well as a decayed form of the substance that prevents blood from clotting, thus producing a foul odour. Some 40 blood bank directors testified that the blood bags in question did not meet international standards, despite having received certification by the Health Ministry's National Organisation for Drug Control and Research (NODRC). Both El-Gabali and Faten Moftah, director of the National Blood Transfusion Centre (NBTC), insist that the blood available on the market is completely safe. But negative publicity has already done its damage, reducing blood donations by more than 90 per cent. According to Moftah, NBTC received an average of 60 donors every day just before the eruption of the scandal, but now donors are down to two per day. Hence, blood stocks are quickly depleting; she added that two weeks ago, NBTC could only deliver half the quantity of blood required by hospitals. Many prospective donors fear for their own health, while others feel guilty for patients who might use the donated blood. "Such fears are unfounded, since all of the blood bags used for transfusion are perfectly safe, clean and sterilised," said Moftah. However, the availability of blood, in addition to the quality and quantity of donations and safety measures in blood transfusions, have all become major public concerns. There are currently some 250 blood banks in government hospitals and nearly 13 in private hospitals. "The public must know that Egyptian blood is on a par with international standards," stressed Moftah. She added that the careful selection of donors, good laboratory practices and cautious choosing of blood bags, all result in safe blood transfusions for both donors and patients. Moftah appealed to regular donors and other citizens to continue donating their blood, since there are plenty of patients who are in dire need of blood. "Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60, who is healthy, not a virus carrier, and has good haemoglobin count should donate blood," she pleaded. She added that the matter is urgent, since "the shelf-life of a unit of separated blood and blood itself averages only 35 days. This means that there is a constant need for fresh donations."
