Employee suspended after three individuals were exposed to contaminated blood
An investigation has been launched into the Maldives Blood Services (MBS) after three patients were transfused with blood that had not undergone final safety clearance due to a technical failure with a storage freezer. While a staff member has been suspended for negligence, the agency assured the public that the blood used was safe for transfusion and confirmed that efforts are currently underway to procure new specialized refrigeration units to prevent such incidents from recurring.
A scientist processes a blood sample at a research center to isolate stem cells. | The National
An employee at Maldives Blood Services has been suspended following allegations of negligence after blood bags from a malfunctioning refrigerator were administered to patients without being retested.
The Male' City Group of Hospitals has established an investigative team to look into the matter. Meanwhile, Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) stated that an employee found negligent in following mandatory pre-transfusion protocols has been suspended from duty effective August 23.
According to a statement issued by the Maldives Blood Services (MBS), the incident occurred following a technical failure in a blood storage freezer after the center had closed on the night of the 19th of this month. The statement noted that the issue was identified at approximately 23:21 that night, after the temperature monitoring alarm system triggered an alert.
The Maldives Blood Services (MBS) stated that upon receiving the alert, staff immediately reported to the center and safely transferred 12 blood packets to another freezer. MBS further clarified that although the freezer's temperature rose to 11 degrees Celsius, health standards dictate that blood can be safely maintained for up to 24 hours as long as the temperature does not exceed 10 degrees Celsius.
The Maldives Blood Services (MBS) has provided full assurance that the blood used that day was neither contaminated nor unfit for medical use. However, the agency stated that while conducting an administrative review of the incident, it was discovered that three of those blood packets had been transfused into three patients at 9:30 a.m. the following Monday.
The MBS stated that as soon as the matter came to light, all relevant information was immediately shared with the concerned parties.
Regarding the matter, the Director General of the Maldives Blood Service, Ahmed Farish, stated that efforts are underway to procure new blood storage refrigerators from abroad. He further noted that arrangements are being made to temporarily bring in a refrigerator from the Addu Equatorial Hospital.
