The Maldives Thalassemia Society has called for an investigation into an incident where "compromised" blood, which had been stored in conditions that failed to ensure its safety, was administered to patients.

In a statement released today, the Thalassemia Society revealed that on the night of the 19th of this month, the temperature dropped in a refrigerator storing 12 packs of blood that had already been cross-matched and were "ready for transfusion." This temperature drop rendered the blood safety compromised.

"From the moment it was known those blood packs had to be discarded, this society has been seeking updates from relevant authorities and closely monitoring the steps being taken. We were informed by Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) that they were contacting the children scheduled to receive those 12 packs, seeking new donors, apologizing, and taking swift action to rectify the situation," the statement read.

However, on the 22nd of this month, a parent informed the Thalassemia Society that the compromised blood had actually been administered to three patients on the morning of the 20th. Upon learning this, the Thalassemia Society began investigating how the incident occurred and what caused it, while seeking assurances that such an event would never be repeated.

They emphasized that they have taken their concerns to the highest authorities to ensure that blood transfusions are safe. Following meetings with senior officials from MBS, Hulhumalé Hospital, and the Malé City Group of Hospitals, the Thalassemia Society submitted its concerns and immediate recommendations on behalf of the thalassemia community.

The Thalassemia Society maintains that since blood is a lifeline for every individual with thalassemia, such an incident is unacceptable and must not recur. They believe the primary and most important duty of the service provider is to ensure that every drop of blood administered to a child is safe.

They have called on relevant authorities to investigate why compromised blood was given to even a single child and demanded that the findings be shared transparently with the community.

Recognizing that this is a period of great anxiety for thalassemia patients and their parents, the society urged the public not to spread misinformation that could further distress the community.

"We appeal to everyone not to interfere with the investigation being conducted by relevant authorities to penalize those negligent and to reorganize systems to prevent a recurrence," the society stated.

The Thalassemia Society assured patients and parents that they would continue to work closely with the community and all relevant parties to find solutions to any issues faced by those living with thalassemia.