The federal department of the Canadian government responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health, Health Canada, is investigating the deaths of two plasma donors at for-profit clinics in Winnipeg, Manitoba, including that of a 22-year-old Nigerian international student, The New York Times reported on Friday.

The federal agency confirmed it received mandatory reports from the clinics following fatal adverse reactions after procedures in October 2025 and January 2026, just over three months apart, at locations operated by Grifols, a Spanish healthcare company running 17 clinics across Canada, including two in Winnipeg. Health Canada subsequently dispatched inspectors to both facilities.

According to The New York Times, friends identified one of the deceased as Rodiyat Alabede, a 22-year-old Nigerian international student whose parents are from Nigeria and Ivory Coast, who was training to become a social worker and was active in the Muslim Nigerian community in Winnipeg.

The identity of the second donor was not disclosed, with both the examiner’s office and Health Canada citing privacy laws.

Stephanie Holfeld, Executive Director of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Manitoba, told the newspaper that Alabede became unresponsive during the donation procedure and died shortly afterwards, though she noted the death had not yet been formally linked to the plasma donation and that “certain investigative steps may still be in progress.”

“She had a motherly side to her, she was protective and sweet. She never gave up, even when things got difficult for her.” Chioma Ijoma.

Grifols, in a statement, expressed condolences to the families.

He said, “We have no reason to believe that there is a correlation between the donors’ passing and plasma donation.”

The company said donors undergo extensive health evaluations before being cleared, that it reported both incidents within the required 72-hour window, and has since launched an internal investigation.

Plasma donation is a process in which blood is drawn, the plasma is separated from red blood cells, and the red blood cells are returned to the donor.

It is commonly used by cash-strapped students and low-income earners in Canada and the United States as a means of supplementing their income.

Grifols advertises that regular donors can earn around 6,000 Canadian dollars, equivalent to roughly 4,400 US dollars or about 7.2 million naira, per year. (Saturday PUNCH)

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