Delhi: CAG report reveals 32 blood banks running without licenses
Out of 68 blood banks in Delhi, 32 didn't have a valid license in 2016-17, a CAG report revealed. The report attributed this to the delay in renewal process while adding "oversight and monitoring over the functioning of blood banks was inadequate." The ones running without a license include 10 government blood banks, 16 private hospitals, 3 private and 3 voluntary organizations.
Renewed licenses not issued even after satisfactory inspections
The CAG report added, "In the absence of valid licenses, an audit could not derive assurance that these blood banks had the required manpower and infrastructure for their functioning." It also stated, "delays in issuing renewal after satisfactory inspections" was another reason for this.
What does this mean for the common man?
Highlighting loopholes in the system, the report said the 32 blood banks weren't updating authentic information of blood components in the National Health Portal. Failing which, people have no information about the availability of blood in these banks. It also added that blood banks weren't conducting the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAT) screening meant to judge the quality of blood.
A look at other loopholes the CAG report highlighted
Apart from the license-less blood banks, the report also revealed that a Metro Blood Bank- Centre of Excellence (MBB-COE) was set to be established at the Dwarka hospital, but it didn't happen. The MBB-COE was envisaged by the National Aids Control Organization (NACO) and in May 2013, it had also forwarded a concept note to the Delhi health ministry. However, no action was taken.
How the cabinet delayed the project for four years
The CAG report stated, "The Cabinet, GNCTD took four years for selection of site, cabinet approval, and approval of Lieutenant Governor. Thus, delay in decision-making by GNCTD resulted in shifting the project, thereby depriving the people of NCT of Delhi from the benefits of MBB-COE."
