LARKANA, May 5: A team of Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority (SBTA) on Friday conducted raids on several blood banks and laboratories and found nine in breach of SBTA rules and regulations.

The team comprised Assistant Programme Manager SBTA Dr Dileep Kumar and District Focal Person Dr Farooqur Rehman Soomro.

Dr Soomro said the team found nine blood banks and pathological laboratories, Shahbaz Blood Bank, Sindhu Blood Bank, Vital Laboratory, National Laboratory, Aqsa Laboratory, Sachal Laboratory, Jamal X-ray and Laboratory, Sindh Laboratory, National Laboratory (collection point) and City Medical Centre in breach of relevant rules and regulations.

He said the owners this time had been denied any grace period for improvement and been served with final notices warning them to either operate in accordance with set rules or close down their businesses.

According to Safe Blood Transfusion Act 1997 the violator could face three years rigorous punishment or Rs0.5 million fine or both, the focal person said adding a report in this connection had been sent to Sindh health minister, secretary health, district nazim, DPO and EDO health.

Dr Soomro said that the raids would continue in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts.