World Blood Donor Day: Just 14 blood banks pay attention to PBTA deadline

Authority had declared May 22 as the last day for the establishments to register

LAHORE: The world marked World Blood Donor Day on Tuesday, but in Lahore, the struggle to deal with illegal blood banks continues.

Only 14 blood banks have contacted the Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority (PBTA) for registration after the passing of the May 22 deadline. The question now remains: has PBTA taken any action against these establishments?

“We have issued notices to several blood banks for the completion of the registration process,” said PBTA Director Dr Muhammad Athar while talking to The Express Tribune.

“We have issued warning letters to 300 blood banks in Lahore alone,” he claimed. “After Ramazan, there will be a crackdown against them,” he added.

According to the health department, there are at least 1,600 blood banks across the province and they need to be regulated.

Punjab Minister for Primary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir directed officials to launch a campaign for the registration of blood banks and appoint new PBTA director. It was the latter who issued a deadline of May 22, 2017, to all blood banks to get themselves registered with PBTA.

“These blood banks are the main cause of spreading deadly diseases like hepatitis and HIV,” said Mayo Hospital’s Medical Practitioner Dr Muhammad Tahir. He added that in his entire career he did not see the PBTA has shut down any illegal and unregistered blood banks, which are functioning at the Mayo Hospital.

“All the things that are happening under the nose of the Punjab government are unbelievable,” he said.

“Observing World Blood Donor Day or organising seminars and awareness campaigns are pointless until illegal blood banks are eliminated.”

Blood Donation Society Director Major (retd) Tariq Maqbool said 6,000 thalassemia patients are already registered with Sundus Foundation for blood.

“Every day thousands of bottles are required for the patients of thalassemia and other blood-related diseases,” he said. “Everyone should donate blood and it should be made mandatory through the law.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2017.