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Date
: 29/09/2005
Source: Ministry of Health
Title: Tshabalala-Msimang: New risk rating model for blood
donations
Statement by the Minister of Health on the new risk rating
model for blood donations
Once again, we have proven as South Africans that we can turn a
difficult situation into a great opportunity. At the end of last
year, a dark cloud engulfed the health sector in this country after
it emerged that race was being used as one of the factors to rate
the risk of blood donations. That was a difficult moment for all of
us and I am glad that we were able to play our stewardship role in
addressing this matter.
The successful resolution of this issue demonstrates that
transformation of a society with a difficult history as ours
requires extra efforts from all of us. We cannot allow any form of
prejudice to limit the great potential we have as a country. Extra
resources had to be invested into developing this new model, which
promises to render much better outcomes than the previous
discriminatory model.
In establishing the new model, we recognised the constitutional
right of all patients to have access to safe blood. We also
recognised that all the people of South Africa should be given an
equal opportunity - without any discrimination on the basis of
race, gender or any other factor - to contribute to the supply of
safe blood. Our goal should now be to ensure that the blood donor
population reflects the demographics of the country.
I am glad that the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has
been able to implement the new risk model for blood donation that
excludes race within the timelines that we set. The new model based
on donor status further limits the expose of patients to undue risk
posed by transmission of diseases such as hepatitis B and C and HIV
by a blood transfusion.
The model is based on the fact that donations from regular donors
pose the least risk to the patient. The risk of the window period
is significantly reduced by Nucleic Acid Technology testing, which
detects very minute quantities of virus genetic material for HIV
and hepatitis B and C.
The Department of Health is satisfied that this model is
appropriate, does not compromise the rights of the donor or the
patient and will ensure the delivery of sufficient safe blood for
the country
The successful implementation of the new model requires extensive
donor education particularly on the importance of healthy
lifestyle. I therefore invite the SANBS to join the Department of
Health in intensifying the Healthy Lifestyle Campaign. The Campaign
focuses on the following:
* promotion of good nutrition
* regular physical activity
* safe sexual behaviour
* responsible use of alcohol
* tobacco control.
We need to work together in instilling healthy lifestyles
particularly amongst our young people who constitute a critical
base for sustainable of safe blood and successful implementation of
the new model.
I also invite SANBS to partner with the Department of Health and
utilise the various other health promotion programmes that the
Department is implementing amongst the youth in particular to
increase pool of healthy blood donors.
A healthy nation is the best source of safe blood and the supply of
sufficient safe blood is one of the key elements of a modern health
care system.
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