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)