Technology and Science15 March, 20263 min read
Health Canada Confirms Two Deaths After Plasma Donation at Grifols Clinics in Winnipeg
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Health Canada investigates two deaths after plasma donations at private Winnipeg collection centres. One victim is a Nigerian international student.
Investigation Launched
Health Canada has launched an investigation into the deaths of two individuals following plasma donation procedures at private collection centers operated by Grifols, a Spanish healthcare company, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The federal agency confirmed receiving mandatory reports from the clinics after two fatal adverse reactions involving plasma donors, one occurring in October 2025 and another on January 30, 2026. Both incidents took place at different Grifols locations in Winnipeg - the Taylor Avenue center and the Innovation Drive location.
“Health Canada confirmed it received mandatory reports from the clinics after the two deaths and sent inspectors to the facilities operated by Grifols, a Spanish healthcare company that runs several plasma collection centres in Canada.”
The deaths have prompted regulatory action, with Health Canada dispatching inspectors to both facilities to examine the circumstances surrounding these fatalities. The investigation comes amid growing scrutiny of for-profit plasma donation operations and safety protocols at Canadian plasma collection centers.
Victim Identified
One of the deceased has been identified as Rodiyat Alabede, a 22-year-old Nigerian international student who died on October 25, 2025, shortly after donating plasma at the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre on Taylor Avenue. Alabede had moved from Nigeria to Winnipeg in 2022 to pursue studies at the University of Wisconsin and was training to become a social worker while actively participating in the Muslim Nigerian community in Winnipeg. According to friends and family, Alabede became unresponsive during the donation procedure and died shortly afterwards.
Her friend Mary Ann Chika identified her body at the hospital after doctors pronounced her dead, though medical personnel provided limited information about the circumstances. The second death occurred on January 30, 2026, at Grifols' Innovation Drive location, though the identity of this second donor has not been disclosed due to privacy laws.
Company Response
Grifols, a Spanish healthcare company that operates 17 plasma collection centers across Canada including two in Winnipeg, has publicly expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. The company stated that based on available information, 'we have no reason to believe that there is a correlation between the donors' passing and plasma donation.' Grifols emphasized that donors undergo health evaluations before being cleared to give plasma, suggesting that the company maintains rigorous screening protocols.
“Grifols has publicly expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. The company said it 'has no reason to believe that there is a correlation between the donors' passing and plasma donation,' and noted that donors undergo health evaluations before they are cleared to give plasma.”
The company acquired Canadian Plasma Resources in 2022 and has been operating in Winnipeg since that time. Despite Grifols' assurances, Health Canada officials have not yet formally determined whether the plasma donation procedures themselves caused the deaths, with the Manitoba Office of the Chief Medical Examiner noting that certain investigative steps may still be in progress.
Donation Process
Plasma donation involves drawing blood, separating the plasma component, and returning the red blood cells to the donor's body. The process is generally considered safe and is widely used in medical treatments and research. Plasma contains immunoglobulins that help strengthen the immune system as well as clotting factors that assist in controlling bleeding, making it valuable for treating infections, bleeding disorders, and liver disease.
However, donors may experience side effects including fatigue, dehydration, dizziness, bruising, and fainting. In Canada, for-profit plasma donation centers offer compensation to donors, with payments of up to about 100 Canadian dollars per session, plus additional bonuses for frequent visits. This financial incentive has made plasma donation a source of income for some students and low-income earners, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in safety protocols when profit motives are involved.
