Hyderabad: Finding that the surgical departments at the Gandhi Hospital are not utilising blood products stored in its blood bank, hospital superintendent Dr G Shravan on Monday ordered an inquiry into allegations that these are being sold outside.
There have also been complaints that patients are being forced to arrange for blood on their own, citing shortage at the blood bank. One of the doctors at the hospital said, “There is a shortage of blood products at the blood bank and the relatives are given references to buy the products from outside. This fetches technicians a commission of Rs 500 per unit of blood. An inquiry is being conducted into this matter.”
A senior officer with the hospital’s administration said, “The surgical departments are required to maintain a certain quantity of blood products. By the end of the month, the stock has to be utilised. If not utilised, the department has to notify the blood bank about it. But that is not happening. At the same time, patients are being asked to procure blood from outside. Hence, an internal audit has been initiated to find out what is happening to the excess stock and where is it being used.”
The administration has been asked to submit the report within a week. Dr Shravan said, “Action will be taken against departments which are procuring products but not utilising them. If the blood products are wasted or misused, strict action will be taken against those responsible.”
