Six Blood Banks Closed For Substandard Criteria: Senate Told

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st july,2016) : Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Islamabad Blood Transfusion Authority(IBTA) was effectively perform its role, closing six blood banks for not fulfilling the minimum criteria of blood safety during last three years. Speaking in the senate during question-hour on behalf of health minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said at present there were 19 blood banks in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination through the Islamabad Blood Transfusion Authority was monitoring the working of the said blood banks.

He said authority deals with matters regarding registration and inspection of the blood banks, issuing licenses to the blood banks that fulfil the minimum licensing criteria, annual and surprise inspection of the licensed blood banks incompliance with the legislation, by laws and regulations.

He said it ensure that the blood banks were managed and run by qualified professionals and Bio safety measures were strictly endeared through by the blood banks. He said Rule 11 and 12 of the Ordinance 2002 to Regulate Transfusion of Safe Blood and Blood Products in the Islamabad Capital Territory relates to the penalties prescribed for those blood banks found involved in supply and provision of unsafe blood is fine, imprisonment and closure of Blood Banks.