HEALTH

Plan to shut down 4 blood banks and launch malaria-testing labs

The state government is going to shut down four blood banks that are not attached with any government hospital. Presently, there are 107 blood banks in the state. The four that are identified for close down are suffering from different technical problems including lack of adequate equipments and accessories. Lack of necessary infrastructure is also a reason for which the government prompted to take the step.

On Tuesday, during his visit to Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Hospital Blood Bank in Cooch Behar, the joint director of state health services, Mr Amar Mukherjee told the reporters about the government's decision. The measures are to be taken following the guidelines and norms of National blood transfusion and blood bank policy, he said. He however denied naming the four blood banks.

It was learnt from health department sources that there are complaints against the tainted four blood banks. An inquiry is also going on against the blood banks. Soon after receiving of the inquiry reports the government would take steps against them. On the otherhand, the government may ask the blood banks that are not associated with hospitals to improve their infrastructures, the sources added.

Mr Mukherjee expressed his satisfaction by observing the conditions and facilities of the MJN Hospital Blood Bank. He also visited the instruments, equipments and facilities for testing of HIV/AIDS.

As Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are the most malaria prone areas of north Bengal, the joint director of health services, Mr Mukherjee said that sophisticated and ultramodern facilities to examine blood samples are to be launched in the government hospitals in this region. Presently, complicated tests of blood samples are done at outer laboratories and it takes a lot of time to get the results. After launching of the proposed ultramodern laboratories it would be easier for the doctors to diagnosis the suspected malaria patients, he believes.