< img src="https://edugist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG-20260314-WA0011.jpg"alt =""> A 22-year-old Nigerian international student and another donor have actually died after providing plasma at a for-profit collection centre in Winnipeg, Canada, prompting a review by health authorities.
Health Canada confirmed it got two reports of deadly unfavorable reactions involving plasma donors at centers operated by Grifols in Winnipeg. The deaths apparently occurred in October 2025 and January 30, 2026.
Among the victims, Rodiyat Alabede, a Nigerian trainee studying at the University of Winnipeg, passed away on October 25, 2025, after going to an appointment at the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre to contribute plasma.
Alabede had actually moved from Nigeria to Winnipeg in 2022 with the ambition of becoming a social employee.
Her buddy, Mary Ann Chika, described her as a joyful and enthusiastic young woman whose life was cut short all of a sudden.
“She was always delighted. She had numerous dreams, specifically when she came to Canada. She held a huge place in my heart,” Chika stated.
Chika explained that she was not present during the contribution but later determined her good friend at the healthcare facility after she had been pronounced dead.
According to her, doctors informed her that Alabede’s heart stopped while she was donating plasma at the centre.
“And before she arrived at the hospital, she had already passed,” she said.
Health Canada divulged that a 2nd deadly unfavorable response was reported on January 30, 2026, following another plasma contribution at Grifols Plasma Contribution Centre.
The federal regulator stated examinations are ongoing and that it has actually not yet developed a direct link between the plasma contributions and the deaths.
In a declaration, a spokesperson for Grifols said the company had actually performed an internal review.
“Based on the info readily available at this time, we have no factor to think that there is a connection in between the donors’ death and plasma donation,” the representative said.
The company runs plasma contribution centres where donors get financial compensation. According to its site, donors can receive payments of up to $100 per donation, together with additional incentives such as benefits for frequent contributions.
Health Canada said it continues to evaluate the reported incidents as part of its continuous safety monitoring of plasma collection activities in the country.