Malda, Sept. 20 -- The blood bank at Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) has allegedly been operating for nearly six years with an expired licence, raising concerns over blood safety and regulatory compliance at one of the region's largest government hospitals.
According to Health department sources, the blood bank's licence expired around 2020. An application was subsequently made for renewal, but the licence could not be renewed due to inadequate infrastructure. Although the hospital's infrastructure has since been improved, the licence renewal remains pending. Sources said a fresh application was submitted about a year ago.
The issue is particularly concerning given the heavy patient load at the hospital. Patients from Malda, North and South Dinajpur, as well as neighbouring Bihar and Jharkhand, regularly seek treatment there. The blood bank reports a daily requirement of around 130-140 units, while approximately 3,500 units of packed red blood cells (PRBC) are supplied every month.
Malda has nearly 1,500 thalassemia patients who require regular transfusions, besides patients suffering from blood-related cancers. Doctors said the continued operation of a blood bank with an expired licence was a matter of concern.
Malda Medical College superintendent Ganesh Chandra Gain declined to comment on the issue. Minister of State (Health) Sumana Sarkar, however, acknowledged the matter after visiting the medical college on Friday. "I heard about the expiry of the blood bank licence. I will discuss the matter with the higher authorities," she said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.