German-funded blood centres in Sindh yet to be opened for use

Regional Blood Centre Jamshoro. 

KARACHI: It has been over a year since regional blood centres (RBC) were established with grant from the German government in different parts of Sindh, but they stand as mere structures as they have yet to become operational.

When asked, Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority Chairperson Dr Zahid Ansari confirmed four such centres were established with €300 million given by the German government. He told Geo Newsmachinery has also been installed in the blood centres but it would take some more time until they are opened for use.

The blood centres in Sindh were established in Karachi, Jamshoro, Nawabshah and Sukkur.

About the delay, Dr Ansari said the first tender for operation of the RBCs was cancelled as it had some loopholes, which is why they left it to be run by the best health organisations of the country under public-private partnership.

In Pakistan, Fatimid Foundation, Hussaini Blood Bank and National Institute of Blood Diseases are some of the best-serving health organisations, where blood-related diseases are treated. Therefore, they could help run the RBCs.

Sources in the health department said a tender was received by Hussaini Blood Bank, but it was cancelled due to political issues. However, Sukkur Blood Bank Hospital has received a tender and would help in operations of the RBC.

Once operational, the RBCs would be a relief for hospitals and people getting treated for blood disorders, as they have large capacities for storage of blood bags. According to Dr Ansari, the RBC in Karachi has a capacity to store 50,000 bags of blood, while 30,000 bags each could be kept in the RBCs of Nawabshah, Sukkur and Jamshoro.

As per the additional director general of health, Dr Nadeem Sheikh, every year more than 300,000 bags of blood are needed in Sindh. But, he added, the available capacity of blood centres in the province does not allow storage of more than 120,000 bags of blood. However, he is hopeful that the requirement would be fulfilled with the help of RBCs.

The German government had given the grant for 10 state of the art blood centres in Pakistan. Out of the count four are established in Sindh.