Canada faces calls for investigation into death of woman after plasma donation
Summary
A young woman in Canada died of cardiac arrest soon after donating blood plasma at a clinic operated by the Spanish company Grifols. Patient advocates are calling for a fresh investigation into her death because of potential safety problems and poor staff training at plasma donation centers.Key Facts
- Rodiyat Alabede, a University of Winnipeg student, died in October 2025 after donating plasma.
- Health Canada’s first investigation found no connection between the donation and her death.
- Advocates say there are major differences between her autopsy, which showed an enlarged heart, and Health Canada’s report.
- Inspection reports showed Grifols had poor staff training and failed to follow safety rules.
- Staff often failed to stop plasma collection when machine alarms sounded.
- Grifols allowed multiple quiz retakes for staff before fixing knowledge gaps, with quizzes largely unchanged.
- Health Canada described Grifols’ reporting as incomplete and inaccurate.
- Advocates want Prime Minister Mark Carney to reopen the investigation and suspend Grifols’ license temporarily.
- Plasma is used to make medicines for bleeding disorders and burn victims.
- Deaths from plasma donation in Canada are very rare; only three occurred in the last ten years, all in Manitoba.
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