KARACHI, Sept 4: Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad has issued an ordinance amending the Sindh Transfusion of Safe Blood Act, 1997, which will come into effect immediately to make the blood transfusion system safe and regulate the working of blood banks and concerned organizations.

The governor was constantly receiving complaints against the irregularities and loopholes in blood transfusion system. During the last few months, he had convened several meetings to review in detail working of hospitals and blood banks in this regard.

In order to improve the situation, besides registration of blood banks, it was made mandatory for hospitals to maintain record of blood transfusion. Since necessary amendments were required in the existing Act to further improve the system, the governor issued the amendment ordinance on Saturday.

To give final shape to law, consultations were held with representative medical associations, medical education institutions, hospital managements and legal experts so that the system of blood transfusion was made safer and the mafia playing with the lives of people in this field could be eliminated.

Under the amendment ordinance, any premises could be sealed where illegal blood transfusion activity will be carried out while blood banks functioning in violation of rules and regulations could also be sealed.

In the ordinance, the imprisonment of people involved in blood transfer in violation of the law has been enhanced from two to three years.

In order to ensure administrative improvement, the Blood Transfusion Authority will be headed by health secretary instead of director-general.

The governor directed the authorities concerned to ensure enforcement of the law. —APP