The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has unconditionally apologised to President Thabo Mbeki for infringing his dignity and that of his office.
”The breakdown of procedures to protect the confidentiality of donor and medical information, which was inappropriately released to the press, is deeply regretted,” Reverend John Pender-Smith, chairperson of the SANBS board of directors, said in a statement on Friday.
The SANBS further apologised for infringing the dignity of any person or blood donor for having used race as part of its risk-management programme.
Pender-Smith said the SANBS will continue to fulfil its mission to provide all patients with sufficient, safe, quality blood products and medical services related to blood transfusion, in an equitable and cost-effective manner.
The organisation appealed to blood donors to continue donating blood regularly and ensure a ”safe and sufficient” blood supply.
When donating blood, all blood donors will be informed about how their blood is to be processed and used. — Sapa
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