Defunct council behind shortage of blood: NGO
Questioning the shortage of blood due to the alleged inactivity of the State Blood Transfusion Council, NGO Umang Foundation has urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take a look into the matter and take action against the Health Department officials who have failed to address the crisis.
Addressing the media, Ajay Srivastava, president, Umang Foundation, alleged that the council, which was created under the leadership of the Health Secretary to manage blood bank operations in compliance with the Supreme Court’s orders, has remained inactive for several years.
He added that the council had not been restructured and had not held any meeting for over eight years.
“Many major blood banks are unable to provide blood timely to patients in need, raising the risk of illegal blood trading,” he claimed.
“The State Blood Transfusion Council exists only on paper. Although Secretary (Health) is meant to head the council, it has effectively become defunct, with no meetings held for over eight years. The council was intended to oversee blood bank operations, raise awareness among voluntary organisations and donors, and address shortages in blood banks.”
“Major blood banks, including those at Indira Gandhi Medical College, are struggling with staff and equipment shortage, preventing the state from meeting the Central Government’s goal of using 100% blood components. Although four blood banks in the state have component separation machines, they are not being used effectively. Additionally, no apheresis machines have been provided to any blood bank. These machines are crucial as they allow for the collection of only the required blood component, which can be donated multiple times per year, significantly increasing blood donation potential,” he said.
“The council’s office is supposed to be led by a director at a major medical institution, as per the Supreme Court’s guidelines. However, in Himachal, it is housed in a rented building far from Indira Gandhi Medical College at Khalini,” alleged Srivastava.