Daily Times

LAHORE: The provincial government spends a huge amount to purchase blood bags every year, but these are actually not delivered to the patients, as corrupt officials sell bulk of it to private blood banks in order to earn quick money.

A special branch has recently unearthed the presence of a gang involved in the theft of blood bags from public hospital of south Punjab.

A large number of blood bags, purchased by the provincial health department, are easily available at private blood banks, not only causing a huge loss to the government, but also forcing the deserving patients to buy these bags from market at their own.

A secret report available with Daily Times revealed that the special branch carried out an operation against illegal sale of blood bags in Bahawalpur, resulting in seizure of high quality blood bags being distributed in the region without any authorisation and precautionary measures.

Health official fears that the network involved in illegal sale of blood bags could wreak havoc in the current healthcare system of Punjab and could put the government in an embarrassing situation.

It was suggested that health officers of other districts might also be directed to inspect the blood banks in their respective areas for concerted action against illegal sale of blood.

The report stated about illegal business of blood bags at Ziaud Din Hospital and Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Raheem Yar Khan.

A raid was conducted at the abovementioned centres, resulting in confiscation of 22 blood bags, fresh frozen plasma bearing monograms of Punjab government, along with 500 used bags that were kept in unhygienic conditions.

Counterfeited stamps of doctors and technicians from the vicinities were also discovered during the raids. Moreover, official stationery of Shaik Zaid Hospital’s blood bank was observed as dubious while used syringes were also recovered from the place.

Ziaud Din Hospital’s lab is owned by one Jam Maqbool Ahmad, who works as lab attendant of Sheikh Zaid Hospital.

The owner of Ziaud Din Hostipal lab has been involved in this illegal business for quite some time. The staff of Sheikh Zaid Hospital’s blood bank was also hand in glove with him while no certified staff was deputed at the banks for taking due care of blood bags.

Another raid was conducted at the bus terminal of Faisal Movers at Khanpur. A consignment comprising 20 blood bags was recovered from the place, which arrived from Lahore to be received by Ziaud Din Hotpital.

The report further said that the local administration conducted another raid on a blood bank located at district Bahawalpur. During the raid at Al-Rahmat, 33 blood bags, 2 BT sets, 80 syringes, 20 used bags, receipt books, register, 10 new blood bags and 31 visiting cards were recovered.

At Al Minhaj Blood Bank, 12 blood bags, 40 syringes, expired registration certificate, receipt books and stamps were recovered.

Three blood bags, chemical for blood examination and blood transfusion equipments were detected when Due Thalassemia blood bank was checked.

It is pertinent to mention that no qualified doctor or professional was present at these banks.

The blood banks were stashed away at unhygienic places without any refrigeration and cold chain mechanism. The blood bags were also without records and were unattested by any recognised institutions.

The situation of blood banks was not suitable for the treatment of patient and could have easily result into spread of diseases related to blood transfusion.