Government hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir [Images] have conducted blood transfusions without carrying out the mandatory tests for HIV and Hepatitis, official sources said.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India, in a report tabled before the state assembly in Jammu, pointed out serious lapses in the procedures adopted by state-run health centres, they said.

The CAG stated that 31,280 units of blood -- not tested for HIV and Hepatitis -- had been used for transfusion in hospitals in the state in 2003-04. The report also alleged that bio-medical wastes were being dumped in open, violating the rule that stipulated the setting up of waste-treatment plants by December 31, 2002.

At the reputed Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, 1,235 units of blood were used for transfusion without being tested for HIV and Hepatitis owing to non-availability of kits, it said.

The report said unlicensed banks were operating at Lalladed Hospital and district hospitals in Anantnag and Rajouri. The blood bank in the district hospital at Doda did not have storage facility, the report added.

According to the report, patients were administered sub-standard medicines.

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