The Federal Police will investigate the case of six patients who were waiting for transplants in Rio de Janeiro and tested positive for the HIV virus after receiving organs from two HIV-positive donors.
The investigation of the PF must occur since the case involves the Unified Health System (SUS) and the National Transplant System. The incident is also investigated by the Ministry of Health, the Public Ministry of RJ (MPRJ), the Civil Police and the Regional Council of Medicine (Cremerj).
The Minister of Health, Nísia Trindadereleased a video on social media stating that the ministry will take all appropriate measures and provide assistance to patients’ families. An emergency audit was also ordered to investigate what happened.
The State Department of Health of Rio de Janeiro (SES-RJ) classified the episode as “inadmissible” and highlighted that, despite the incident, the state has carried out more than 16 thousand transplants since 2006, always with “excellent work”.
The tests that confirmed the health of the organs were carried out by PCS Lab Saleme, a private laboratory contracted in an emergency tender in December 2023.
The State Transplant Coordination and State Health Surveillance have already closed the laboratory. The inspection revealed that the PCS Lab did not have kits to carry out the tests and did not present documents proving the purchase of the necessary materials — casting doubt on the veracity of the reports issued to the contaminated bodies.
