In 1984 I was a diploma of obsteterics and gynocology resident doctor at Nepean Hospital , western Sydney.
At that time, I truly believed that if a natural or unnatural disaster struck, I should be trained in a wide spectrum of life saving procedural surgery and medicine , including delivering babies where things go wrong, and mother and baby are at risk.
So , I began my training
Back then, PRIVATELY INSURED new mothers had special “privilages”.
After the delivery, there were many women who lost blood . A natural event, normally treated by IRON supplements , family support, and rest for a week or so.
But if the mother was tired and slightly anaemic and resting in hospital, OTHER events were infolding.
The Specialist would suddenly have several women go into labour and need “a bed” in the post delivery suite.
There would be a back log. He had to get the line moving and clear “bed” space .
It would look bad if the Specialist sent home a PRIVATELY INSURED pale looking exhausted mum, just to clear bed space and keep the line moving.
SOLUTION……Give them a UNIT OF BLOOD…pink up the cheeks…and get them out.
This procedure, was nick named “pinking up”.
One morning , I was paged to ‘PINK UP” a new mum. Her bed was required for the next new mum , and the doctor wanted her to return home with pink rosy cheeks , full of energy, and looking good.
I entered the room, and nurses set up the TRANSFUSION for ONE UNIT of BLOOD.
My job was to insert an intravenous canula, connect the tubing, and administer the BLOOD.
All was ready to go. I watched as the blood streamed down the long tubing heading toward her open vein.
Just then, she cried and begged, “ DOCTOR, is this blood safe….??”
I replied, “sure it is……guaranteed by our Bood Bank, Red Cross, FEDERAL HEALTH MINISTER……
And then, a few inches before it entered her veins, I clamped the flow, and pulled out the needle.
I said “ I DON’T KNOW IF IT IS CLEAN……AND NEITHER DO THE AUTHORITIES….”
I helped her to get dressed, call her husband, take her baby and get the hell out .
The Matron confronted me in the hall way, as I was aiding the escape of this vulnerable and frightened mother. A loud argument followed
She demanded, “Why didn’t you administer the blood as were your ORDERS ? “
The whole ward came to a standstill as doctors, nurses and patients looked on in disbelief
I replied “ it may be contaminated with “AIDS” ………….And all this new mother needs is rest and iron supplements.
The Matron screamed at me…”Our blood is safe…AIDS is only in San Franscico “
NEXT STOP….I was hauled before a “disciplinary hearing”, where I was to be FIRED, and “blacklisted” from working in other public hospitals.
I was scared. I had no money , a dependent wife and two small babies living in rented hospital accomodation
THE CHARGE…I went against the Hospital Superintendent, Australian Red Cross, Bood bank, and questioned and defied the rulings of the FEDERAL and STATE HEALTH MINISTERS…………
Because I said “ Until ALL blood is tested and screened beyond doubt, no guarantees can be given”
And furthermore, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS should only be given in a case of “life or death”…and the practice of “PINKING UP”, MUST CEASE…
Or I will go to the PRESS…THOSE WERE THE DAYS WHEN WE HAD FREE , FEARLESS JUST AND INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM…not like the “yes men” trembling corporate owned cowards of today
After a long deliberation, I was told to go back to my duties….and behave myself
Soon afterwards, a memo was sent out , and BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS were strictly limited to life threatening situations. Other hospitals followed .
And then, it was confirmed, our Blood Bank was exposed to, and contaminated with “AIDS” virus and anyone who received a blood transfusion, was required to be tested for infection.
It was all over the NEWS and print media in 1985 to 1990 .
And thousands of innocent people were infected via blood transfusions
The tradgedy is if the bood was given for non life threatening reasons.
THAT WAS A POWERFULL LESSON, one which will stay with me forever.
I remain sceptical , vigilant and wary as preditors are not ONLY confined to the SUB PRIME DISASTER and WALL STREET, but also to the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
Dr Ray Woods
