Despite being sanctioned in 2013, the hospital is yet to make headway and R38 lakh are lying unused
To ensure maximum utilisation of blood and cater to the increasing number of emergency cases, JJ hospital was to get the biggest blood component separation unit in 2013. Three years on, that’s yet to happen. This despite the fact that the Medical Council of India has made it mandatory that all blood banks in medical colleges should have blood separation units.
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RTI shocker
In 2013, the state blood transfusion council decided to start a blood component separation unit in JJ Hospital to cater to the growing demand for plasma, platelets and red cells, which are life-saving components for dengue, malaria, anaemia and burns patients. However, an RTI application filed by mid-day revealed that the unit is still pending, even as essential machines worth Rs 38 lakh are lying unused in the department.
The State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC), in its letter dated December 26, 2013, had given its approval to start the unit, but it’s yet to, revealed the RTI application.
“Every year, several litres of blood get wasted as a blood bag can be preserved only for 35 days. Through this separation unit, the hospital could have extracted the plasma, which could have saved hundreds of burns patients,” said a senior pathologist from Red Cross Society.
For the unit, in 2014, the SBTC had sanctioned 10 pieces of equipment. Seven of these, worth Rs 38 lakh, are lying useless. (see box)
“We had provided equipment to the hospital to start the unit in 2014 itself. It’s the hospital’s responsibility to start it,” said an SBTC official.
Due to deficiency of plasma in the city, hospitals have to import it to procure its byproducts, like albumin. KEM hospital, which has a National Plasma Separation Unit, often faces shortage of plasma.
In fact, the layout plan of the blood bank is still under preparation. Budget provision for infrastructure development has been sanctioned; the same for electrical renovation is in process.
Hospital dean says
Dr TP Lahane, dean, JJ hospital, said, “It is the responsibility of NACO to establish a blood separation unit. We already have one of JJ Mahanagar blood bank on our campus, so we don’t need another. The information is wrong. (When asked if they are using the equipment provided by the SBTC) Yes, it is being used.”
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