Two plasma donors die at private Canadian clinics under federal investigation

"Two people have died in Canada after donating plasma at a chain of clinics that has been under scrutiny by federal inspectors for failing to keep accurate records, screen donors or maintain its machines. While experts say the deaths are exceedingly rare, critics say Canada's embrace of private companies to handle blood products reflects a slow collapse of a system that has been the envy of the world."

"Health Canada, the federal agency that regulates plasma clinics, said it had received reports from the clinics regarding fatal adverse reactions after plasma donations in October 2025 and January 2026. The deaths occurred at facilities operated by the Spanish healthcare company Grifols. In both cases, the two donors went into distress while donating, people familiar with the cases told the Guardian."

"Canada's health agency did not disclose the identities of the two donors who died but friends say one was Rodiyat Alabede, 22, an international student who donated plasma in Winnipeg on 25 October. Rody aspired to become a social worker, dedicating her life to helping others, a dream she was so close to achieving, friends wrote on a GoFundMe page."

Two donors died after plasma donations at Grifols-operated clinics in Canada in October 2025 and January 2026. Health Canada is investigating the deaths, though Grifols states no correlation exists between the donations and the fatalities. One identified donor was Rodiyat Alabede, 22, an international student who experienced distress during donation in Winnipeg. The incidents have intensified criticism of Canada's reliance on private companies for blood product collection, with concerns about inadequate record-keeping, donor screening, and equipment maintenance. Plasma is essential for treating conditions like hemophilia and severe burns. Grifols operates 17 facilities across Canada, and the deaths highlight broader concerns about the privatization of Canada's historically robust blood collection system.

Read at www.theguardian.com