Blood service hep C report still not ready

John Breslin

However, it emerged yesterday the report is not yet complete.

The board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) met yesterday to discuss details of its own commissioned report into the failure to inform 34 donors they had the infection.

Hundreds of blood donors in the Munster region were checked for hepatitis C using a test

introduced in 1991. Those that tested positive were not told until between late 1993 and early 1994 and most did not find out about the delay in informing them until 2002.

Transfusion Positive, a support group for hepatitis C sufferers, has called for the immediate publication of the report, compiled by Professor Bernard Kubanek, a German specialist.

Chairwoman Maura Long set up the group following a series of scandals over contaminated blood products. She said they have been waiting since 2002 to find out how this happened.

While pressing for the Kubanek report to be published, the group does not believe it will answer all questions surrounding the delay and have called for an independent public inquiry.

However, the IBTS said yesterday the report has not yet been finalised.

“The final report of Prof Kubanek was not available to the board for its meeting today, January 12. The board expects that the report will be finalised in time for the March meeting and the board will discuss the report and its implications at that time,” a statement read.

The Department of Health said yesterday its officials would be keen to see the final report.

It is expected to reveal that 100 people initially tested positive but were not told immediately.

Confirmatory tests reduced the number to 34.

Blood service personnel are understood to have not been convinced the 1991 test was 100% accurate. However, donors in Dublin, unlike those in Munster, were informed of the results and advised to consult their doctors and the blood donated by these people was thrown out by centres.

The IBTS is facing civil actions from some of the 34 who were not told immediately they tested positive.