Bumrungrad admits to HIV infection from blood transfusion

Bumrungrad International Hospital admits a cancer patient was infected with HIV by a blood transfusion. (File photo)

Bumrungrad International Hospital has admitted a cancer patient was infected with HIV by a blood transfusion, and promised free treatment.

The management of the private hospital on Thursday confirmed media reports that a 24-year-old man was infected with HIV during blood transfusions to treat leukaemia.

According to the statement, the hospital received blood from the National Blood Centre of the Thai Red Cross Society, which has high standards in screening donors and donated blood.

HIV infection through blood donation is possible but rare, only when HIV-infected donors are during their window period, the statement said. Blood recipients are made aware of this and officially accept the risk.

The treatment of the infected man started in 2004, when he was 9-years-old. The hospital had treated patients for Aids 266 times over the past decade, with the cost in seven digits.

It would continue to provide treatment for the unfortunate patient in the future, the hospital management said.