The National Haemophilia Council and the National Centre for Hereditary Coagulation Disorders (NCHCD) today urged haemophiliacs treated with certain blood products before 1992 to have themselves tested for HIV or hepatitis C.
Letters were sent to all GPs in the country last Friday informing them of the campaign. All patients registered on the NCHCD database have also been informed.
"Today we are asking any person who believes they may have received clotting factor concentrates prior to 1992 and who has not been tested for HIV or hepatitis C to contact the NCHCD helpline at 1800 200849" said Dr Barry White, national haemophilia director.
The helpline will operate from 10am to 4pm until Friday June 24th.
Patients can also call The Irish Haemophilia Society on 1850 872872 from 8am to 7pm or the Irish Blood Transfusion Service from 10am to 6pm on 1800 222111. Lines remain open until the 24th.
Anyone who requires testing or further discussion will be given an immediate appointment at the NCHCD or appropriate regional centre.
Dr White said he did not expect many patients to come forward due to previous campaigns on the issue.
"This information campaign is the end of a long process which has involved three previous targeted lookback programmes, two optional national screening programmes and a longterm ongoing testing programme at the NCHCD," he said.