Heilongjiang Nongken Intermediate People’s Court Issues Judgment in HIV
Blood Transfusion Infection Case
[Northeast News Web 23 January 2006]
http://news.nen.com.cn/72343471356116992/20060123/1834079.shtml

In a lawsuit brought by 16 people tragically infected with HIV during blood
transfusions and their families, the hospital involved and higher level
health departments were taken to court and sued for 30 million RMB. From
17-19 January, the Heilongjiang Nongken Intermediate People’s Court held
three days of proceedings regarding this case.

It is understood that around October 2004, there were more than 10 cases of
HIV or AIDS at the Heilongjiang Rural Construction Farm, and that most of
those people had received blood transfusions at the Heilongjiang Rural
Construction Farm Workers’ Hospital, in addition to some who were family
members of those people.

According to a family member of one of the victims, surnamed Liu, Liu
received treatment at the hospital in March 1997 after an ectopic pregnancy.
“The doctor said it was necessary to get a blood transfusion, and many of
us family members were willing to donate blood, but the hospital strongly
promoted that “blood devil”, saying that his blood was good since the New
Year holidays had just passed.” Then, after receiving 800CC of the “blood
devil’s” blood, Liu felt completely weak all over and was unable to work,
like a disabled person. After testing, it was found that Liu had contracted
the HIV virus. The “blood devil” whose blood she was given, and his wife,
have already both died.

There are 19 victims who, like Liu, were unfortunately infected with HIV by
receiving blood from the “blood devil” and his wife, among which one died
in October 2004, and the youngest of whom is only 5 years old.

In June 2006, three staff members from the construction farm hospital were
sentenced to 2, 5 and 10 years in prison and fined for illegally collecting
and distributing blood products.

In 2005, 16 victims (including one victim named Yang who has already passed
away) filed a lawsuit with the court, requesting that the court order the
Heilongjiang Construction Farm Workers’ Hospital and the Heilongjiang
Construction Farm to take responsibility and pay a total of 30 million RMB
in compensation for the illegal blood provision and HIV and other
blood-borne diseases that each victim may have contracted.

The Heilongjiang Nongken Intermediate People’s Court will announce its
verdict in the coming days.

Source: Xinhuanet – By Fan Yunbo

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