KARACHI, June 13: The Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority (SBTA), which completes five years of its existence this June, is yet to be activated to achieve its objective, particularly ensuring safe blood transfusion in the province.

In Sindh, 70 per cent of the estimated 35,000 blood transfusions a year is unscreened, and only 30pc is screened by certain NGOs who receive no government support.

So in the given situation the blood available in blood banks across the province is feared to be a real cause of serious health hazards. For want of screening, even HIV positive blood is being given to patients.

Experts have repeatedly been emphasizing the need to ban the application of syringes by drug addicts and reuse of disposable syringes. Drug addicts also happen to be professional blood donors, so they are a potent source for spread of diseases.

Indifference by officials can well be gauged from the fact that approximately 100 blood banks operating in Karachi and Sindh have not been registered with the SBTA, though they are legally required to do so.—APP