Mumbai: The state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected the state-run JJ Mahanagar Blood Bank located within the JJ Hospital complex in Byculla following a series of complaints, officials said. The blood bank was closed to the public during the inspection. The inspection was underway at the time of going to press.An inquiry has also been initiated into allegations including charges that blood bags collected through voluntary blood donation drives were supplied at subsidised rates to private blood banks.When contacted, State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) director Dr Suhas Mohnalkar told TOI that he was awaiting the FDA’s final report. “The FDA has the authority to take action against blood banks,” he said, adding that a separate inquiry into the complaints had already been initiated.A senior FDA official said teams were scrutinising records and documents at the blood bank. “Our findings will be announced on Thursday,” the official said.Established in 2009, the JJ Mahanagar Blood Bank was intended to improve access to blood and blood products for economically weaker patients. However, concerns have been raised about its functioning in recent years. “Patients in JJ Hospital themselves do not get access to blood from this bank. To learn that blood bags were allegedly diverted to private blood banks is shocking,” said a former SBTC official, requesting anonymity. Officials said the ongoing inquiry will examine the allegations and determine whether any violations of blood banking regulations have occurred.
