E-Paper
Patients bear the brunt of blood bank suspension
It’s been a month since Laxman Khambe, 65, was admitted to Sion hospital. On Thursday, Khambe was wheeled into the operation theatre for a tumour-removal surgery, but doctors could not perform the surgery citing unavailability of blood.
It’s been a month since Laxman Khambe, 65, was admitted to Sion hospital. On Thursday, Khambe was wheeled into the operation theatre for a tumour-removal surgery, but doctors could not perform the surgery citing unavailability of blood.
“I was told the blood bank was not working and I would have to wait another week for the surgery,” said Khambe who works as a watchman.
Several patients like Khambe were facing a problem owing to the weeklong suspension of the Sion hospital's blood bank licence by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA. The licence was cancelled after a probe found that a cancer patient, Asha Singh, had died last November owing to wrong blood transfusion.
However, Sion hospital authorities maintained that no planned surgeries were cancelled.
“We have arranged for an ambulance with a cold storage facility to collect blood from other blood banks. Owing to vacations, overall blood collection is less, so we have requested for voluntary donations at KEM and Nair Hospital blood banks,” said Dr Sandhya Kamat, dean Sion hospital. The hospital conducted 68 surgeries on Friday against the usual 80 a day.
Meanwhile, Jaslok Hospital authorities have requested the state to reconsider the suspension of their blood bank.
Jaslok Hospital, which is also facing a suspension for 15 days for a similar case of wrong blood transfusion conducted 16 surgeries on Friday compared to around 20 a day.
“Sion hospital’s blood bank suspension was curtailed to seven days. We have requested the state to reduce our suspension period, as managing without an in-house functional blood bank for a longer period is difficult,” said Dr SK Mohanty, medical director.
Jaslok Hospital has tied up with Saifee Hospital and Breach Candy Hospital blood banks.
Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
