Lab scientists excluded from HIV-tainted blood probe amidst growing health crisis

• Association pledges cooperation but reveals its offer to aid ministry investigation was rejected, as international treaty violations loom

LINEO MALATALIANA

MASERU – The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Lesotho (AMLSL) has broken its silence following a damning report by Public Eye on HIV-tainted blood in the national supply, acknowledging the profound concerns rocking the health sector and pledging to help restore public trust.

In an official statement, the AMLSL recognized the gravity of the “HIV-tainted blood scandal rocks hospitals” report and its impact on patients, families and healthcare professionals.

“We acknowledge the seriousness of the matter… As an association committed to maintaining professional standards and ensuring safe laboratory practice,” the release read.

However, the Vice Chairperson of AMLSL, Lisema Phafane, revealed in an interview that the association’s attempts to assist in a formal investigation were declined by the Ministry of Health (MoH). Phafane stated that after the initial report, the AMLSL conducted its own preliminary review.

Their internal findings highlighted three critical needs, a comprehensive review of the workflows and procedures of the Lesotho Blood Transfusion Service (LBTS), a full evidence-based investigation to evaluate the likelihood of such incidents occurring and official permission from the MoH to access LBTS processes and documents.

To that end, the AMLSL formally requested to join the ministry’s official investigating task team, citing their expertise. “As we are trained in investigating and resolving incidences,” Phafane stated. This request was denied. The ministry reportedly informed the association that its investigation was nearly complete and could not accommodate new participants.

Phafane expressed regret over the decision, stating that had the AMLSL been included, it would have applied international ISO 15189:2022 standards to the investigation methodology and worked with the MoH to transparently present the findings to affected individuals and the public.

“We would also provide to the public the preventative mechanisms recommended for implementation to prevent such an occurrence,” he added. Despite this, Phafane confirmed the AMLSL’s confidence in the ministry’s team to conclude the matter.

The scandal erupted after reports confirmed that patients had been infected with HIV through blood transfusions, with pints of contaminated blood – also found to be positive for syphilis – discovered in hospitals across the country.

Health minister Selibe Mochoboroane has vowed to get to the bottom of the crisis, which exposes severe negligence in the collection, handling, and administration of the national blood supply.

The crisis has placed Lesotho in potential violation of multiple binding international and continental treaties it has ratified, including the International Covenants on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and on Civil and Political Rights.

Regionally, the scandal constitutes a breach of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Maputo Protocol, framing the act of transfusing infected blood as both a severe criminal offense and a gross human rights violation. It also undermines the nation’s commitments to global treaties on combating HIV.