FSDA crackdown on blood banks in UP; operations halted at 11 centres in Lucknow and Kanpur | Lucknow News
LUCKNOW: In a statewide inspection drive amid rising concerns over seasonal infections and public health safety, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), Uttar Pradesh, has suspended blood-related operations at 11 charitable blood centres in Lucknow and Kanpur after detecting serious irregularities.The action was carried out under the directives of the state government to ensure safe and high-quality availability of blood and blood components to citizens during changing weather conditions and the spread of communicable diseases.Statewide inspection driveOfficials said that inter-district teams of drug inspectors were constituted by the department headquarters to conduct surprise inspections of blood centres run by charitable trusts and societies across various districts.As part of the drive, inspections were conducted at 25 blood centres in Lucknow and 13 in Kanpur.11 blood centres found violating normsDuring the inspections, 11 blood centres were found to have serious procedural and operational irregularities, including lapses in documentation and blood handling practices. Following this, authorities ordered an immediate halt to all blood collection, storage, and distribution activities at these centres.Lucknow (seven centres) Nobel Charitable Blood Centre, Sri Sai Blood Bank & Component Center, Awadh Charitable Blood Bank, Little Star Charitable Blood Centre, KHS Charitable Blood Centre, Bombay Charitable Blood Centre and Lucknow Charitable Blood and Component Centre.Kanpur (four centres) Vaada Charitable Blood Centre, Mayanjali Charitable Blood Bank, Pushpanjali Charitable Blood & Component Centre and Swastik Charitable Blood CentreNotices issued to other centresThe FSDA has also issued show-cause notices to other blood centres where minor deficiencies were observed. Local drug inspectors have been directed to ensure compliance and corrective action within stipulated timelines.Focus on public safetyOfficials emphasised that the move is aimed at safeguarding public health and preventing risks associated with unsafe blood transfusion practices, especially during periods when demand for blood rises due to seasonal illnesses.The department reiterated that strict monitoring will continue and any violation of norms will attract stringent action to maintain quality standards in blood banking services across the state.
