Nawaf Afat Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The uncle of a 13-year-old girl who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion at Jazan Public Hospital a few days ago said her family intends to bring a lawsuit against the Ministry of Health before the Board of Grievances. Muhammad Al-Hakami said his niece Reham did not need the blood transfusion in the first place, as her hemoglobin levels were good. He said neither the committee appointed by the Ministry of Health to investigate his niece's case nor the National Society for Human Rights has spoken to the family ever since Reham was transported on Friday to King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC). Reham has been under a lot of stress lately because of media coverage into her case, he said, urging doctors not to allow any reporters to speak to her about her condition or take her photograph. He said: “We're trying to alleviate her suffering. Her father is devastated. “We're waiting for authorities to issue a decision to send her abroad for treatment.” The case has sparked deep revulsion and outrage. Support groups and columnists have called for prompt action to help the girl and stringent measures against those found guilty of negligence. Messages of compassion and sympathy as well as gifts and flowers were delivered to Reham as doctors attempted to deal with her case. The Ministry of Health's spokesman said the committee is still investigating the case. Meanwhile, Jazan Health Affairs Director Dr. Hamad Al-Aksham said the person who donated the contaminated blood used in the botched-up transfusion had his details registered at the ministry's records and has been contacted. He will receive comprehensive care in strict confidentiality, Al-Aksham said. However, a source told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the person had donated his blood at King Fahd Central Hospital in Jazan, but medical staff disposed of the blood after discovering that it was infected with HIV. The donor has never been contacted by the hospital ever since. The same donor also donated blood to Jazan Public Hospital but the blood had not been screened for HIV and the laboratory technician ended up giving this infected blood to Reham, the source said. The technician, who lives near Reham's village, has been feeling guilty over this grave mistake, the source added. The head of the department of blood laboratories and banks, Dr. Ali Al-Shammary, said Reham was the victim of medical negligence. The technician who conducted the blood transfusion should have followed the strict procedures in place. Poor practice in the hospital was also to be blamed for this problem, Al-Shammary said. He said: “What happened to Reham was a tragedy.” He noted that the ministry would announce measures soon to prevent such tragedies in the future. Blood banks in the Kingdom follow strict measures when it comes to testing donated blood. The donor is required to answer confidential questions about his personal life and whether he has had illicit relationships in the past or taken drugs. A specialist doctor will also assess the donor. Al-Shammary said the Kingdom started four years ago using a DNA test for blood donors that is only used in advanced countries. The test can discover the virus even if it is latent in the body. He noted that the ministry is suffering from a shortage of blood donors and this might pose a huge threat during crises and disasters.
