By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Canada’s federal and provincial health authorities are investigating the deaths of two people who donated plasma at for‑profit clinics in Winnipeg, Manitoba, after troubling incidents occurred just over three months apart.
The first death involved Rodiyat Alabede, a 22‑year‑old international student from Nigeria studying to become a social worker, who died after donating plasma at a Grifols clinic in October 2025. The second donor, whose identity has not been publicly released, died on January 30, 2026, at a similar facility.
Health officials confirmed on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, that Health Canada and provincial regulators are reviewing both cases to determine whether the deaths are linked to plasma donation procedures or clinic operations.
The investigation has raised renewed scrutiny of for‑profit plasma donation centres, which operate differently from Canada’s traditional voluntary system and have expanded in recent years to meet plasma supply demands. Grifols has stated it is cooperating fully with authorities and currently believes the deaths were not caused by the donation process itself.
The ongoing probe underscores broader debates in Canada about donor safety, corporate oversight, and ethical standards in paid plasma collection programs.
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