QEH dismisses blood supply crisis claims, assures public of stable stocks

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has firmly rejected claims circulating on social media that it is facing a blood supply crisis, insisting that current stocks remain “within required minimum levels”.

The hospital issued a statement on Friday addressing reports that alleged that the QEH had only 77 units of blood available and had been forced to outsource blood testing to the private sector due to shortages.

“The hospital is not facing a crisis, nor are we on the verge of running out of blood supplies,” the QEH insisted, adding that while “blood availability fluctuates based on patient needs, our team is actively managing supplies to ensure continued patient care”.

The statement also addressed concerns about laboratory testing capabilities, explaining that a “temporary reduction in reagent stock for one specific serological test (HTLV-1)” had been “swiftly identified, and the necessary resources have already arrived”.

According to the QEH, there has been “no interruption to blood testing or collection services” and the temporary outsourcing of some laboratory operations was described as “a proactive measure related to remedial cleaning efforts” rather than a response to any crisis.

The hospital emphasised that “at no point has this led to an inability to conduct critical testing” and encouraged eligible Barbadians to “continue donating blood to support our healthcare system”.

In its statement, the QEH urged the public to seek accurate information and avoid unnecessary panic, reaffirming its commitment to providing high-quality care to patients. (BT/PR)