Plasma centre grant deferred

MUMBAI: The National Plasma Fractionation Centre (NPFC) at KEM Hospital started in 1989 is a one-of-its kind laboratory in South Asia equipped to split blood plasma into life-saving proteins. However, the NPFC had to stop operation in 2004, as it failed to meet the stringent health standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

But, thanks to a grant-in-aid of Rs21.15 crore promised by the Centre, out of which Rs5 crore was to be disbursed by the BMC this financial year, NPFC was all set to be restarted at new two-storeyed premises at Shatabdi Hospital, Govandi.

Unfortunately, on Wednesday, the civic body deferred the decision to grant aid to the NPFC, which will further delay its opening. “NPFC makes products by a technique known as fractionation, a process which involves separating important proteins and antibodies from plasma, which can then be used for effective treatment,” said Dr Vijayalakshmi Ray, Director, NPFC.

India imports plasma products worth Rs300 crore. “NPFC would be able to manage the requirement of Mumbai and Maharashtra,” she added. However, at the standing committee meeting, corporators raised several questions as to why the Rs2 crore granted to the plasma centre last year was not put to use. They wanted to know the quantity of plasma products sold to private hospitals and also demanded an inquiry into the loss made by NPFC.

Ravindra Waikar, chairman, standing committee, deferred the decision asking the BMC to respond to the questions raised by the corporators. The Congress staged a walkout and alleged that the Sena-led ruling alliance was deferring the decision because they wanted the mayor to be the chairman of the NPFC.