HYDERABAD: Blood banks in the state have come in for severe criticism from the Comptroller and Auditor General whose annual report for 2011-12 reveals that there has been blatant violation of norms while collecting blood, putting the lives of the donors and patients in danger.
The safety of donors was compromised at many blood banks which flouted the eligibility criteria for blood donation under the Drug and Cosmetic Rules 1945.
The functioning of blood banks is far from satisfactory although specific rules have been framed for ensuring the safety of blood donors, a majority of the blood banks verified in the audit flouted the rules.
Non-compliance with rules and ineffective monitoring by drug inspectors have put the safety of both donors and patients in danger, the report says.
The CAG found that many of the 45 blood banks, whose working was monitored, collected blood from donors aged below 18 years and weighing below 45 kg and having insufficient haemoglobin content.
The guidelines clearly say that donors should be within the age group of 18 to 60 years.
As many as 23 out of the 45 blood banks collected blood from 291 donors aged below 18 years and ten blood banks from 71 donors weighing below 45 kg.
Findings
* 23 blood banks collected blood from 291 under-aged donors * 10 blood banks collected blood from 71 underweight donors * 41 blood banks collected blood from 3,617 donors with poor haemoglobin content * Ineffective calibration of equipment does not ensure quality of blood * The state has just 24 drug inspectors against the required number of 558 Donor’s
Eligibility
* Age: 18 to 60 years * Weight: Not less than 45 kg * Haemoglobin: Not less than 12.5 GM/DL