THE Natal Blood Transfusion Service on Tuesday defended its decision to stop collecting blood in areas where HIV prevalence had reached “unacceptable” levels as a move in patients’ interests. “We have taken the precaution of systematically withdrawing our collection clinics from areas where the prevalence of HIV or any other virus transmissible by blood transfusion has increased to unacceptable levels,” a statement from the NBTS said. “This is in accordance with the WHO (World Health Organisation) Global Blood Safety Initiative, and more recently, with the National Blood Policy.” Tuesday’s statement followed an e-tv report on Monday that the blood donor service had started turning away black blood donors between the ages of 18 and 35 years old because of the high risk of infection from AIDS and other diseases.