Acces to information

Héma-Québec applies new regulations respecting the distribution of information

Montréal, April 1, 2015 – In the interest of transparency and in the spirit of the Québec regulation respecting the distribution of information, which comes into effect today, Héma-Québec is announcing that it will post on its website all information disclosed in response to access to information requests.

“The ability to supply blood products and human biological products depends in part on trust. Héma-Québec fulfills its mission through the mobilization and commitment of thousands of donors, volunteers and partners. Nine out of 10 Quebecers today have confidence in our organization and we are committed to maintaining that high level of trust. Transparency has always been a core value of our work. We therefore support these new regulations,” explains Me Smaranda Ghibu, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs and Acting President.

By way of example, in response to a request by the daily 24 heures, Héma-Québec is making public the travel expenses of its former president and CEO, Dr. Jean De Serres, from the time he took office in April 2011 to his departure on September 30, 2014.

For the period from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012, these travel expenses amounted to $17,599; for the same period in 2012-2013, $23,582; for 2013-2014, $43,624; and for the period from April 1 to September 30, 2014, $18,932. During his time with Héma-Québec, Dr. De Serres made 29 trips within North America, including Mexico, and to Europe and Asia.

Héma-Québec makes every effort to provide safe, optimal-quality products to meet the needs of the Québec population. Our organization continually strives to meet the highest standards. Héma-Québec participates in the work of major international organizations to address risks associated with blood transfusions, human tissue and stem cell transplants and cell production, as well as blood-borne infections and new relevant information on blood products and human tissue products. These networks’ activities are international in scope.

Héma-Québec’s president and CEO is called upon to travel whenever the presence of the organization’s head is required to ensure that Héma-Québec remains synonymous with safety, especially through the implementation of the latest safety measures.

About Héma-Québec

Héma-Québec’s mission is to efficiently meet the needs of the Québec population for safe, optimal-quality blood and blood products, human tissues, cord blood, mother’s milk and cellular products; and to develop and provide expertise and specialized, innovative services in the field of human biological products. Héma-Québec encompasses 1,300 employees, over 300,000 donor visits to blood drives per year, 16,000 volunteers and more than 500,000 blood products delivered annually to Québec hospitals to meet the needs of patients.

Give blood. Give life.

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Source and information:

Héma-Québec
Media line | 514-832-0871
www.hema-quebec.qc.ca