The Asian Age: Mumbai: Wednesday,
April 20, 2016.
Responding to
the RTI query filed by an independent doctor, the state government has revealed
that 26 blood banks in Amaravati district are suffering a 50 per cent staff
crunch of blood transfusion officers (BTO).
While FDA
norms have stringent rules for employing at least four BTOs to keep the centre
running for 24X7, more than 14 blood banks are functioning with merely one BTO
to look after the medical proceedings of the blood bank. Moreover, while the
blood banks can possibly face stringent action for being acutely short staffed,
Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is investigating the matter.
The
independent pathologist, on condition of anonymity said, “The blood bank is
either causing inconvenience to people by not working round- -the-clock or are
run by technicians who are not qualified to accept or issue blood.” He also
said, “There could be various medical difficulties in grouping and issuing the
blood which can result in severe consequences.”
FDA norms
state that minimum four BTOs are required to run a blood bank. “One BTO who is
a certified pathologist earns anywhere between Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000. But if
the blood banks are trying to save on their salaries by hiring only one or two
BTOs, then it’s a serious concern because they are blatantly going against the
FDA norms,” said the doctor.
He has also
sent a written complaint to CDSCO authorities that govern all the blood banks.
The authorities have said that the matter is under probe.
.JPG)
.JPG)
