KARACHI, Aug 9: Police on Tuesday took action against four unregistered blood banks and arrested six persons under Safe Blood Transfusion Act, 1997. Police accompanied by the officials of the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority conducted raids at Alqam Blood Bank in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Shah Blood Bank near JPMC, O.T. Hospital Blood Bank at Sharea Faisal and the IFM located near Garden Road. Some equipment and tainted blood were also seized from the respective premises.

SBTA’s Programme Manager Dr Farhana Memon told Dawn that the governor directed the police officials to take action against the illegal blood banks.

All the four blood banks were sealed by the SBTA six months back, but they resumed their activities.

After conducting a raid at the Shah Blood Bank, an FIR was lodged under Section 270 of the PPC at Frere police station. TPO Clifton Imran Shaukat said that Section 270 pertained to the sale of articles hazardous to health. Two persons responsible for selling unsafe blood were also arrested from the bank.

Saddar TPO Sanaullah Abbasi said a man from IFM Blood was held and the premises were sealed. Sources said the blood bank owner had evaded arrest.

Shah Faisal TPO Sultan Khawaja told Dawn that they had arrested a doctor, who was running an illegal blood bank. “We have not sealed the premises as it falls in the purview of the health department,” he said.

In Gulshan, police arrested two officials of Alqam Blood Bank located in Block-5. An FIR under Section 269/270/34 was registered. Police did not seal the premises of the blood bank.