Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Integrated Regional Information Networks - December 14, 2004
JOHANNESBURG (PLUSNEWS) - The Medical Research Council (MRC) says blood from the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is safe, and strict measures are taken to ensure that patients do not contract transmittable diseases.
However, the MRC's executive director of research, Dr Anthony Mbewu, says a lot more could be done to prevent blood donors from being stigmatised, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang recently said an SANBS policy "smacked of racism", when it emerged that donors' risk of carrying disease was categorised by race, with infection thought to be "more widespread" among blacks.
Noting that these standards were not necessarily acceptable in this country, Mbewu said: "The MRC is looking at standards for South Africa. The SANBS is to put out a statement to say that this practice will be discarded."
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