LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that non-licensed blood banks will be considered illegal and the Punjab government is developing a mechanism to enhance professional capability of Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority (BTA) officials.

The minister stated this while chairing a high-level meeting at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department on Monday. Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Barrister Nabeel Awan, Special Secretary Silwat Saeed, Additional Secretary Dr Salman Shahid, Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Medical University Professor Dr Amir Zaman Khan, Secretary Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority Dr Athar and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

She also reviewed suggestions to improve the scale and performance of the BTA. She said the process of blood screening is being improved and the blood banks without required license will be considered illegal and will not be allowed to operate. "The performance and capacity of the Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority will be enhanced by provision of additional budget. All vacant positions in the BTA must be filled and the quality assurance will be assessed according to international standards," she directed.

So far, around 41 blood banks have been closed due to non-implementation of SOPs, the minister said, adding that they are developing a mechanism to enhance professional capabilities of the officers. She added that the performance of the BTA will be monitored regularly.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020