'Blood may contain lethal HIV/AIDS virus'
'Blood may contain lethal HIV/AIDS virus'
People may be infected with the virus via a blood transfusion. Even though the possibility of getting the virus is very small, some shared their thoughts with The Jakarta Post about their concern over the issue.
Johannes Koes Novianto, 27, is a Yogyakarta-born employee at an information technology company in Kemang, South Jakarta. He has lived in Patal Senayan, South Jakarta, for one year.
"I had a blood transfusion in 1998 when I got dengue fever. Fortunately, some friends were willing to offer their blood to me. I took their blood as I believed it was safe and disease- free.
I don't trust the blood stored by the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) as there is no guarantee about the health of the donors. It's pretty scary if the blood contains diseases like Hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS.
My major concern is that many people donate their blood and extort money from those who need it. I've found such practices go on at many hospitals, especially in the case of patients due for surgery."
Johanna H., 25, an employee at a private company on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. She has lived here for seven years.
"My sister has thalassemia and needs regular blood transfusions. She usually gets her blood from the Indonesia Red Cross (PMI). However, once, it ran out of blood so we were forced to ask people to donate it for my sister. It's not that easy to get blood here, particularly my sister's blood, type B.
At the time, we didn't think about possible contagious diseases and the doctors at a state hospital here did not say anything about it either.
My sister has a liver problem now. The doctors suspect that it is related to the donated blood she received.
We have become more aware of the importance of blood for transfusions now. Last year, when I had to give birth to my daughter, I asked the hospital to check their blood supply carefully. It cost me a lot, but I feel safe. Besides, prevention is better than cure, isn't it?"
Agus Sutopo is a security guard at a private company in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. The single man has lived in Jakarta for a year.
"I have no personal experience of blood transfusions, but I often follow TV reports that blood offered by hospitals is not totally safe from HIV/AIDS.
I think there should be a guarantee from any hospital or health clinic that the blood to be transfused will be totally free of any disease, including the HIV/AIDS virus.
Such a guarantee should be mandatory as so far there is no cure for HIV/AIDS.
Campaigns against the disease should continue, particularly targeting young people, who are susceptible to getting infected by it."
V. Rudi Hartono, a diocesean priest who works at a parish in Central Jakarta.
"Some people try to make money from blood transfusions.
We worry not only because of the commercial aspect, but also because of the alarming increase in blood that is allegedly contaminated by infectious viruses.
I recalled when my father was badly in need of blood. It was a terribly depressing moment as nobody donated their blood and the Indonesian Red Cross sold it at an extortionate price -- Rp 600,000 per bag. How could such a leading social organization for humanity sell it while it gets the commodity free from volunteers?
I think blood donations from close relatives are much more reliable than those from anonymous donors."