Daily Times

LARKANA: Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority (SBTA) Deputy Director Larkana Dr Mumtaz Ali Wagan revealed Sunday that there was no pathologist in Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Thalassemia Center and two blood banks and laboratories of 1500-bed Chandka Medical College Hospital and also criticised the centre over ‘malpractices’.

In his letter to Administrator Fatimid Foundation (FF) Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Thalassaemia Center (SBBTC), Mumtaz said that SBBTC does not have services of a pathologist which indicates that the activities of the SBBTC are not supervised properly which is highly objectionable.

He further wrote that during recent monitoring it was found that large number of blood bags were lying in the refrigerator labeled as “reactive” for discarding. Mumtaz quizzed on why the donors were properly screened before donation. He termed it contrary to the Standard Operating  Procedure (SOP) laid down by SBTA, the letter added.

The deputy director also warned to stop such ‘malpractice’ and ensure that SOPs are followed. Moreover, it was mentioned that blood screening and waste management reports have not been submitted regularly and timely which should also be ensured. Copies of this letter have also been sent to Health Secretary, Director General Health Services Sindh Hyderabad, Director, Health Services, Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, Larkana for information and further necessary action.

The CMCH had handed over SBBTC to FF because they were allegedly unable to manage it properly along with annual budget allocation which is highly objectionable and needs to be probed thoroughly as there are a lot of complaints against the managers by the attendants of poor patients.

In another letter addressed to the Medical Superintendent (MS) Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH), the DD said that the blood banks of ZA Bhutto Laboratory and Teaching Block Laboratory of the CMCH are running without pathologists and hematologists. The letter further pointed out that logistics like refrigeration, water bath, centrifuge machine and Elisa reader were found out of order at the laboratory. Premises particularly at Teaching Hospital were dirty and infectious and waste was not managed accordingly.

The letter further said that Central Laboratory, Teaching Hospital and ZA Bhutto blood banks are registered with SBTA but no renewal has been made for 2 years.