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Race-free blood testing system sought

    JOHANNESBURG

    The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is looking at new ways of determining whether donated blood is safe from diseases such as HIV/AIDS, without using race as a factor.

    In a system used by the SANBS, regular donors who were white or Indian were deemed Category 1 - at lowest risk of HIV or other diseases - while black donors were classified as either Category 3 or 4, because HIV and hepatitis were thought to be "more widespread" among them.

    SANBS chief executive Anthon Heyns said they would continue using the old system to keep supplies safe until a new model for checking blood was approved.

    The South African Press Association quoted him as saying: "Some models have been put forward, but still have to be validated. We can't compromise the safety of the blood supply."

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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