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After deadly terror attack, donors being billed for blood tests at Mogadishu hospitals
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    Sunday October 30, 2022



    FILE - Mohamed Abdi Hussein is seen after donating a pint of blood at the Benadir Blood Service, in Mogadishu, Somalia February 7, 2022. REUTERS/Feisal Omar


    Mogadishu (HOL) - Residents in Mogadishu are outraged after reportedly being told by officials at various hospitals that they have to pay money for blood tests before donating blood to victims of Saturday's deadly terror attack that killed over 100 people.

    A visibly distraught young man told local media that people were after donating blood to a relative that was seriously injured in the blast, he was handed a bill for the blood transfusion test.

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    "Many patients in hospitals require blood transfusions. People need blood transfusions and medical assistance right away. The government is airlifting people out of the country for treatment abroad in hospitals, but here, volunteers are being asked to pay for blood tests."

    Before release for transfusion, a blood donation is tested and must be non-reactive for diseases known to be transmitted by transfusion. 

    When the donation is complete, several blood samples are typically taken to test blood groups and compatibility.

    Somalia's government is appealing for blood to treat those wounded in the explosions, which killed over 100 people and injured over 300 others on Saturday afternoon.

    HOL has seen a purported receipt from Kalkaal Hospital that billed a donor $34 for seven blood tests, including HIV and syphilis.

    The hospital is less than 2km from the blast site.

    In a Facebook post, Kalkaal Hospital denied charging donors for blood testing.

    Shaafi and Somali Sudanese, two hospitals also accused on social media of billing volunteers for blood tests, have denied the allegations in press statements released on Sunday afternoon.

    In response to the mounting outrage, Somalia's Ministry of Health issued a statement urging all Mogadishu hospitals to accept blood donations free of charge.

    The health ministry added that citizens should go to De Martino, Benadir, Madina, and Ex-Digfeer hospitals if they are ready to donate blood.

    Just hours after the attack, Somalia's President and Health Minister paid hospital visits to victims of Saturday's twin car bomb bombings in Mogadishu.

    The federal government promised that victims with the most severe injuries would be sent abroad for further treatment.

    Dr. Ali Haji Adan, Minister of Health, did not comment on the pay-for-test allegations during his briefing with the press at the hospital visit.

    Despite years of conflict and violence, the social stigma around blood donation in Somalia only decreased dramatically in the wake of the devastating Oct. 2017 bombings when hundreds of people rushed to hospitals to donate blood for the victims. 



     

     





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