Mumbai: The blood bank at St George Hospital has come under scrutiny after allegations that it has been unable to prepare blood components for nearly a month due to the absence of an FDA-approved Technical Supervisor, forcing some thalassemia patients to obtain blood from other blood banks. The hospital, however, has denied that patient care has been affected, saying alternative arrangements are in place.
Patients Allege Blood Component Separation Has Been Suspended
According to health activists and some thalassemia patients, the blood bank, which caters to around 100 thalassemia patients requiring packed red blood cell transfusions every fortnight, has suspended blood component separation following the transfer of its FDA-approved Technical Supervisors. As a result, only whole blood is being collected, while patients requiring blood components are allegedly being referred elsewhere. It was also alleged that whole blood collected at the hospital is being sent to other blood banks, and that the administration failed to register other eligible technicians as Technical Supervisors despite available provisions. Allegations were also raised over the lack of round-the-clock Blood Transfusion Officers (BTOs).
Rejecting the claims, the hospital administration said there is no wastage of blood and that the Thalassemia Department, functioning since 1987, continues to cater to nearly 100 patients besides serving anaemia, dialysis and surgical cases. Officials said the hospital often borrows blood from other blood banks due to high demand and is currently receiving additional referrals after recent FDA action against several blood banks.
Technical Supervisor Registration Underway
The administration said component preparation was temporarily suspended because both FDA-approved Technical Supervisors were transferred, leaving the blood bank without a registered supervisor. A senior technician recently posted from JJ Hospital is now undergoing FDA registration, after which component separation will resume.
Meanwhile, the hospital said blood components are being procured from other blood banks to ensure uninterrupted transfusions for patients. It also stated that one patient cited in the allegations has been receiving regular blood components, while another has not availed transfusion services at St George Hospital for the past two years.
On the issue of BTOs, the hospital said Dr. Khalid Kamal Ansari has been given additional charge of the blood bank until a permanent arrangement is made.
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