Home / Health / State Orders Sweeping Inspections of All Blood Centres
State Orders Sweeping Inspections of All Blood Centres
29 Jun
Summary
- All blood centres in Maharashtra now face inspections for regulatory compliance.
- Two blood centres were recently ordered to close due to serious violations.
- Blood is classified as a drug, requiring adherence to strict standards.
Maharashtra is initiating comprehensive inspections of all government and private blood centres statewide. This measure follows the recent closure of two Mumbai-area blood facilities by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to significant regulatory breaches. A circular from the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) mandates blood transfusion officers to conduct thorough site inspections and submit quarterly reports.
The inspections will verify adherence to technical standards, assess blood collection against demand, and ensure proper transportation of blood. These efforts underscore that blood is legally classified as a 'drug' under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, necessitating strict compliance in its handling.
Officials will also check plasma agreements, e-Blood Bank portal updates, staffing, audit records, and waste disposal. This directive ensures compliance with guidelines from national bodies and the FDA, with potential for action against non-compliant centres.
Maharashtra, which periodically faces blood shortages, especially during festivals and extreme weather, aims to improve its blood supply system's safety and reliability through these rigorous checks.
