KARACHI, Dec 8: Concrete measures are being adopted to reduce the number of blood banks operating across the province complimented by measures to ensure well set facilities at all district headquarters of Sindh.

Sindh Health Adviser Faisal Malik Gabol told APP that with a view to contain the mushroom growth of blood banks often at extreme cost of public health a fool proof strategy was being evolved to reduce their number.

He further said that standard facilities would be provided at identified sites to ensure that people in need like pregnant ladies, victims of accidents and other emergency conditions as well as those requiring the same as therapeutic propositions were not denied of the essential commodity.

To ensure that only quality services outlet are allowed to be operational, he said that a procedure was being adopted for licensing of blood banks under which it would be pre-requisite for each of the applicant to have provision for generators, required machinery and qualified professionals.

The adviser said that a steering committee comprising seasoned hematologists from both public and private sectors was in process of finalizing the terms of reference to make these proposals actually workable.

The steering committee after reviewing the working of blood banks, functioning across the province, would submit its extensive report comprising recommendation to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Dec 11, Faisal Malik said.

He further said that it might also be made pre-requisite for each of the applicant bank to guarantee a minimum investment of Rs1.5 million to Rs2 million. Along with the very requirement, a mechanism was also being developed to maintain record of the quantum of blood collected, donated and screened at these banks, he said.

To maintain strict vigilance on the working of all licensed banks, the adviser said there would be random checks as well as quarterly inspections and each bank would further be required for annual renewal of their licenses, which again would be directly linked with their performance.

Meanwhile, a six-member committee in a special meeting, chaired by Health Adviser Faisal Malik, on Wednesday decided to discourage commercial blood donors and blood banks in order to motivate volunteers from community for blood donations and to educate general public about its benefits.

The committee was told that rules and regulations for commercial blood bank were being finalized and the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority would monitor performance of blood banks. Blood demand in an area would be assessed before registering any blood bank.

The government would strengthen healthcare units and blood banks of public sector hospitals in Sindh in order to meet the needs of vicinity. In major cities, blood banks having capacity to produce 50-60 units per week would be granted registration after fulfilling other requirements set by the SBTA.

It was also decided in the meeting that doctors should be directed to transfuse blood provided only from registered blood banks so that blood diseases could be prevented.

Among others the meeting was attended by SBTA Programme Manager Dr Farhana Memon, Dr Saba Jamal from Ziauddin Hospital, Dr Naseem Siddiqui from Fatmid Blood Bank, Dr Farah Hussain from Hussaini Blood Bank, Dr Usman from Aga Khan Hospital and Dr Mujeeb from Jinnah Hospital. -APP/PPI