PESHAWAR, April 26: Taking notice of complaints about the non-availability of screening kits for HIV, hepatitis B and C, NWFP Health Minister Inayatullah Khan has ordered the official concerned to ensure supply of screening kits to all public sector blood banks in the province and take stern action against those who had shown laxity in this regard.

He issued these directives while presiding over a meeting of the steering committee of Control Programme, NWFP, on Wednesday.

The committee reviewed steps being taken to prevent HIV in the province and approved various decisions.

The committee was informed that the provincial Control Programme had procured blood screening kits and stored it in the Lady Reading Hospital and main store of the EPI. It was further informed that these kits were provided to the blood banks on the basis of need.

The majority of the authorities of DHQ hospitals had failed to collect their kits regarding safe blood transfusion, the committee was told.

Expressing concern over the absence of kits from district hospitals, the minister asked the director-general to devise an efficient system for ensuring smooth delivery of kits to blood banks. He also ordered an inquiry regarding the purchasing of kits despite being supplied free by the Control Programme.

The committee also approved procurement of blood kits through UNICEF for the current year which will cost Rs16.40million.

Similarly, the steering committee also ordered reviewing of awarding of contract for behavioural change communication and provision of services to high-risk groups.

A committee headed by the additional secretary health was constituted to submit its report within three weeks to the health minister.

The committee approved purchasing cutters for teaching and DHQ hospitals so that used syringes could be destroyed. It also approved hiring administrative staff for Control Programme. It sanctioned budget for upgrading and maintenance of the project’s website.

The minister stressed the need for properly following up the decisions taken by the steering committee.

He also asked member departments to appoint efficient people for the steering committee to ensure proper inputs.