Vol. 445 No. 6
441 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he intends to have testing made available to husbands/partners and children of women who received the Anti-D immunoglobulin treatment during the years 1970 to 1994. [653/94]
Screening of children and partners of women who test positive for hepatitis C under the national blood screening programme is being undertaken by the Blood Transfusion Service Board.
442 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the number of women who have undergone a liver biopsy arising from the Anti D immunoglobulin treatment during the years 1970 to 1994. [654/94]
A total of 421 women who were diagnosed as hepatitis C positive under the national blood screening programme have undergone a liver biopsy in one of the six designated hospitals providing treatment for this group of women.
443 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he intends to ensure that laboratory facilities will be made available in Ireland to ensure that all future testing in relation to illness arising from Anti D can be carried out in this country to minimise delays. [658/94]
The National Blood Screening Programme involves the Eliza, RIBA and PCR testing of blood samples. All Eliza and RIBA testing is carried out in laboratories in this country. While some of the PCR testing is carried out in Ireland, most blood samples are being referred to Edinburgh or London for PCR testing. The Blood Transfusion Service Board is currently reviewing its laboratory requirements.
