Unregistered blood banks to face the music
Specialised Healthcare Secretary Najam Ahmad Shah directed the authorities concerned that registration of public blood banks should be completed in seven days. He said health EDOs would be assigned duties for the purpose. PHOTO: AFP
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has directed the closure of unregistered blood banks within a month.
The minister issued the directives while presiding over a meeting of the Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority (PBTA) on Thursday at the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education (SHME) department.
While reviewing the authority's performance, Dr Rashid said the Punjab Healthcare Commission must intensify its monitoring of public and private blood banks in the province. "Those failing to renew their licences will also be closed down," she warned.
The minister shared that a special committee was constituted to review standards of procedure and ensuring safe transfusion of blood. "All blood banks have to use Elisa Technology for blood screening," she said.
Dr Rashid said the resources would be provided to enhance the capacity of the PBTA and its performance will be reviewed every month. "The purpose of introducing stringent laws is to ensure safe screening of blood," she emphasised.
The minister also reviewed blood storage facilities and the human resources employed.
She said the government is making efforts to provide better quality health services across the province.
The meeting was attended by Dr Jahangir, Dr Naeem, SHME Special Secretary Silwat Saeed, Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr Salman Shahid, Prof Javed Chaudhry and other departmental officials.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2020.