The Haitian Red Cross wishes to make clear to the population that despite the lack of reagents mentioned in the Haitian press, the blood delivered during this period has always been tested for hepatitis B (rapid test) and for all other infectious agents, HIV, HEPATITE C, SYPHILIS, HTLV1 AND 2 (routine tests).

Rapid testing is an emergency option THAT KEEPS ALL ITS RELIABILITY. In the absence of customary reagents used regularly for hepatitis B screening, rapid tests were performed with the consent of the attending physician and the consent of the patient for any urgent delivery of blood. This procedure does not call into question the reliability of the delivered blood.

The Haitian Red Cross informs that the reagents required for regular testing have since been delivered to Port-au-Prince in sufficient stock for the next three months.

IH/ iciHaiti