Botched blood transfusion: Health dept seeks RDC report

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of two back to back botched-up blood transfusion cases, the State Health department has sought a report from the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) regarding the incidents, which have raised a question on the safety of blood transfusion in the state.

After attending a high level meeting convened to take stock of the situation, Health secretary Arati Ahuja said, “We have sought a report from the RDC and based on that stern action will be taken against the wrongdoers.”

Officials attending the meeting said the department has also issued a fresh advisory to all the hospitals and blood banks in the state directing them to maintain utmost level of safety standards while handling blood transfusion cases.

Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said steps are being taken to improve the infrastructure of the blood banks in the State.

“We have already sanctioned Rs five crore in the State budget to strengthen the blood bank network in the State. Very soon, we are going to purchase some modern equipment for the blood banks. Besides, the government has decided to spend Rs 16 crore for improvement of infrastructure of the blood banks,” Nayak stated.

Meanwhile, the final blood sample report from a Mumbai-based laboratory has confirmed that Tazeen Parween, the three-year old girl of Balasore suffering from Thalassemia, has been transfused blood infected with the Hepatitis C virus at Balasore district headquarters hospital.