Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority seals two blood banks in Rawalpindi

Lahore: Two blood banks located in Ahmed Medical Complex and Bilal Hospitals, Rawalpindi were sealed by a team of health officials due to non adherence of prescribed SOPs of Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority during surprise visit of Punjab Parliamentary Secretary for Health Khawaja Imran Nazir, DCO Rawalpindi Sajid Zafar Dall and EDO Health Dr. Khalid Randhawa on Tuesday.

Khawaja Imran Nazir showed annoyance over unhygienic deplorable conditions of Hospital’s blood bank where the blood technicians  failed reply to the questions of Provincial Parliamentary Secretary Health and EDO Health regarding proper screening, storage and re-examining the quality before blood transfusion. The administration of Bilal Hospital did not satisfy the visiting team about the queries regarding tests of five fatal ailments including HIV, Hepatitis B & C.

The Provincial Parliamentary Secretary Health warned that strict legal action would be taken against all those found involved in sale and purchase of infected blood and teams had been constituted to check un-registered blood banks who had not so far been registered with Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority and also not fulfilled the prescribed criteria. EDO Health Dr. Khalid Randhawa investigated about the procedural details being followed as indicated to ensure supply of safe blood to the patients.

Khawaja Imran Nazir along with DCO, Rawalpindi also visited Ahmed Medical Complex, Rawalpindi and expressed dissatisfaction over the casual attitude of hospital administration for not paying any attention towards following SOPs of Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority. Later, he visited Measles Centre at Jhanda Chichi area and also inquired about vaccination by visiting various residents of the area.