Vol. 440 No. 7
266 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who have tested positive in the anti D screening process to date; the number of children of mothers who received anti D treatment who have so far been tested; the proposals, if any, he has for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have been informed by the Blood Transfusion Service Board that the number of women who have been screened for Hepatitis C antibodies is almost 44,000 and the number who have tested positive is 827 up to and including 25 March 1994. A further confirmatory test will be carried out on the blood samples given by these women and some may yet prove to be negative.
The Blood Transfusion Service Board estimate that 60,000 women received the Anti D product and it is imperative for the success of the screening programme that all women who received Anti D since 1970 to 18 February 1994 come forward for screening. The number of children of these women is not known. The spouses and children of women who test positive for Hepatitis C antibodies will be offered the screening test.
Treatment for those who test positive for Hepatitis C antibodies will be provided at the following hospitals:
St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin;
Mater Hospital, Dublin;
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin;
St. James's Hospital, Dublin;
Cork Regional Hospital;
University College Hospital, Galway.
The treatment will initially involve outpatient visits which may be followed by a short admission for clinical investigation and follow-up treatment, if required.
As I have already indicated to the House, treatment will be provided by the public hospital service free of charge.
