March 8, 2013

Girl Gets Mistaken Blood Transfusion With HIV in Saudi Arabia

Officials in Saudi Arabia are responding to criticism over a 12-year-old girl mistakenly getting a transfusion of blood with HIV, Medical Daily reports. Hours after Reham al-Hakami got a transfusion to treat her sickle cell anemia, medical staff told her family the blood had HIV. As a result, the Saudi Ministry of Health has fired seven officials and fined others. It is unclear if the girl has tested HIV positive. The country gives free medical care to citizens with HIV, but stigma interferes with prevention and treatment.

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