KARACHI, April 28: The second phase of the renovation work of the facilities managed by the Patients' Welfare Association (PWA) on the Civil Hospital premises started earlier this week.

According to a press release issued by the PWA on Wednesday, the second phase got under way after a simple ceremony on Monday which was held in the space provided for the purpose. During this phase the PWA's blood bank will be upgraded.

The first phase of the project was completed in 2002 and involved the renovation of the drug bank, the TBFU clinic and the diagnostic laboratory, said the handout. The PWA's blood bank was constructed 22 years ago with the aim of eliminating the menace of professional blood donors who were mainly drug addicts, said the press release.

From a meagre output of five bags a day, the blood bank evolved into one of the city's biggest single unit blood banks, with a daily output of 200 bags per day. The existing premises of the blood bank were renovated 10 years ago to cater to the needs of 100 people every day, stated the handout.

According to it, the PWA's blood bank was the first one in the city to make screening for Hepatitis C mandatory. The blood handled by the bank is thoroughly screened for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, added the release.