A local court in northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province has
been hearing an AIDS-infection case, caused by the transfusion of
contaminated blood, involving compensation of 30 million yuan
(US$3.7 million).
Since October 2004, a total of 19 people at the Heilongjiang
Construction Farm have been diagnosed with the HIV virus. Some of
these people used to receive blood transfusions in the farm's
hospital while others are their family members, said sources with
the Heilongjiang Farm Intermediate People's Court.
In October 2004, one of the contaminated blood victims died of
AIDS because, and the youngest victim is only five years old.
Last June, three hospital staff members were sentenced to two,
five and ten years in jail respectively, for illegal blood
collection and provision.
Last year, 16 of the infected people sued the hospital and the
farm, its direct authority, demanding a compensation of 30 million
yuan (US$3.7 million) from the Heilongjiang Farm Intermediate
People's Court.
The court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 17 to 19 and a verdict
is expected soon.
(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2006)