KARACHI, Dec 16: The Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority (SBTA) has reactivated six monitoring teams to launch a vigorous campaign against unauthorised blood banks in the province to ensure safe blood supplies, well-placed officials told Dawn.

SBTA officials said an amendment to the Safe Blood Act-1997, made some three years ago recommended harsh punishments for establishments supplying unsafe blood. The punishments suggest a maximum penalty of Rs500,000 and/or imprisonment up to five years.

“We are going to implement the act in letter and spirit through the fresh campaign against illegal blood banks,” SBTA Secretary Dr Zahid Ansari said.

In its earlier campaign, launched a couple of years ago, the SBTA had forced more than 100 illegal blood banks in Sindh to close. However, despite constant check and action, such illegal blood banks were still operating in Sindh. “The fresh drive aim to eliminate this vicious trade,” he said.

“One focal person in each district of Sindh will guide the teams and supervise the action,” he added.

The SBTA has permitted 57 blood banks to continue business and received 40 applications for registration. Their cases are likely to be decided later this month.

The concerned officials gave no reason for the mushroom growth of illegal blood banks and their unchecked activities. However, sources said one reason was ‘pressure’ from influential quarters on SBTA officials. In this context, the sources recalled that the SBTA had caught the operators of about a dozen illegal blood banks functioning in various districts, including Larkana, Sukkur and Hyderabad, but all of them were let off.

This time, the sources said, the provincial authorities had received strict directives from Islamabad to initiate stern action against such elements and not to yield to pressure.

The SBTA will revive its special committee to liaise with the law department and also acquire the services of a special magistrate so that punitive action could be taken and FIRs lodged.