Human Rights panel seeks report on Ludhiana Hospital blood bank irregularities

Ludhiana: A complaint filed by a local activist over alleged irregularities at the Ludhiana Civil Hospital blood bank has prompted the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) to intervene, directing the civil surgeon to submit a detailed report on the matter.  

The complaint alleged that the facility has been operating without a valid license and does not have a designated Blood Transfusion Officer (BTO), both mandatory under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Ludhiana Civil Hospital’s blood bank has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that it has been operating for the past three years without a valid licence and a designated Blood Transfusion Officer (BTO) — both mandatory under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The prolonged lapse has raised serious concerns about patient safety and administrative oversight.

Also Read:No Licence, No Transfusion officer at Ludhiana Civil Hospital Blood Bank

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the complainant Arvind Sharma said, “Without a blood transfusion officer, who is the competent authority to ensure that all safety protocols are adhered to, the blood bank is jeopardising the safety of people.”

The PSHRC, taking cognisance of the complaint, has instructed the Ludhiana Civil Surgeon to submit a status report a week before the next hearing, which is scheduled for December 17.

A senior doctor formerly associated with the hospital revealed that the license had not been renewed for several years due to the blood bank’s failure to meet regulatory standards.

In addition to these issues, Sharma’s complaint also points to operational discrepancies — notably, that one of the two mobile vans used for organizing blood donation camps has not been formally registered. He further alleged that the Civil Surgeon was aware of these irregularities but did not take corrective action.

Also Read:Punjab Health Minister Inspects Civil Hospital

Civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur said, “All our compliance is now fine. We have applied for the license. It has to come from Delhi. We are waiting for it,” reports Hindustan Times.

Regarding the appointment of a designated BTO, Dr. Kaur added that their pathologists are qualified to serve in that role.

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Himachal HC rules PG Diploma not equivalent to PG Degree for Assistant Professor

In a recent judgment, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has ruled that a postgraduate diploma cannot be considered equivalent to a postgraduate degree for promotion to the post of Assistant Professor under the Himachal Pradesh Medical Education Services Rules, 1999.

After going through the provisions of the rules, the HC bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh & Justice Sushil Kukreja observed, “Bare reading of the provisions includes that prescribed essential qualification is Post Graduation Degree or its equivalent qualification with condition that such candidate must possesses 3 years teaching experience after doing Post Graduation. The word ‘after doing Post Graduation’ relates to the minimum essential qualification, i.e. Post Graduation Degree in concerned speciality or its equivalent. In case, there would have been intention to include teaching experience after doing Post Graduation Diploma, then it would have been mentioned specifically in the Rules that teaching experience can be gained after doing either Post Graduation Decree or Diploma. There is no reference of Post Graduation Diploma in the essential qualification, therefore, meaning of words ‘after doing Post Graduation’ has to be construed as “after doing Post Graduation Degree”.

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below: 

Himachal HC Rules PG Diploma Not Equivalent to PG Degree For Assistant Professor

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8 patients killed after massive fire at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital ICU

Eight patients were killed and five remain critical after a massive fire broke out late Sunday night in the ICU of the Trauma Centre at Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur. In response, the Rajasthan government has ordered a probe into the incident, while relatives of the deceased patients have alleged negligence and a lack of firefighting equipment.

The fire reportedly started around 11.20 p.m. in the storeroom of the Neuro ICU ward, where paper, ICU equipment, and blood sampler tubes were stored.

According to an IANS report, a short circuit is suspected to be the cause, according to the Trauma Centre’s nodal officer and senior doctor.

For more details, check out the full story on the link mentioned below:

Fire at Jaipur Hospital Claims 8 Lives; Families Accuse Staff of Ignoring Safety Warnings

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GMC Jalgaon Violence: Surgery Resident Doctor injured in mob attack

Jalgaon: In a shocking incident that has deeply disturbed the medical community, a junior resident doctor from the Surgery Department at Government Medical College (GMC), Jalgaon, was allegedly brutally assaulted by a mob of 15–20 relatives of a patient. The doctor sustained serious injuries, including a ruptured eardrum, a bleeding nose, and other bodily wounds. 

The incident took place on Friday at around 8:12 pm, when relatives brought a patient to the hospital for treatment. At the same time, resident doctors from the surgery department and interns were attending to the patients, many of whom had suffered injuries from firecracker blasts. Dr Mohit, who was treating one of the patients, noticed that the situation was becoming unmanageable.

Since the relatives were making a lot of noise and creating a commotion, he asked them to wait outside to avoid disturbance. However, instead of cooperating, the relatives refused to leave and began attacking the doctors.

Also read- New Delhi: MD Medicine doctor at RML Hospital assaulted over alleged treatment delay

During the attack, the patient’s relatives allegedly brutally thrashed the doctor along with other doctors present in the ward. He was punched multiple times until he started bleeding from his nose and also suffered a ruptured eardrum, along with other injuries.

As the situation worsened, the relatives fled the hospital with the patient and took him to another facility. The hospital authorities immediately informed the police, who arrived at the scene and began investigating the case.

A case has been registered, and two suspects have been detained in connection with the assault. An investigation is underway. 

“Such incidents keep happening repeatedly. The doctor who leaves everything behind to treat us — is there really no one to stand up for them?” asked the doctors strongly condemning the brutal assault.

Demanding strict action regarding repeated assaults on resident doctors and permanent security on the campus, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), GMC Jalgaon, submitted a memorandum to the hospital administration. 

Demanding strict action and permanent security arrangements on campus, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), GMC Jalgaon, submitted a memorandum to the hospital administration.

In the letter, the doctors stated that even after repeated requests for a police chowki and security personnel in the casualty ward, there is still no police presence available at any time. They mentioned that this was the third major assault incident, apart from several minor ones that happen regularly.

“We demand strict action against the repeated assaults on resident doctors, as such incidents are occurring frequently and in the worst possible way,” the memorandum read.

The association warned that if their demands are not fulfilled, they may go on strike, including shutting down emergency services.

“We were given a date 25/07/25 and on this date MSED security force was about to be recruited within hours from 6 months – no any information regarding this is given to us. It is too difficult to manage for us to work and provide services wholeheartedly where nothing in your favour is working. We just demand security of resident doctors who worked 24×7 relentlessly without food or sleep to provide services. We are shameful and tired of demanding a simple thing for a number of times. If this is not fulfilled, we may permit to take in action a strike, which may include to shut down emergency services also,” said the doctors. 

Also read- Violence at Chittoor Hospital: 3 On-duty doctors attacked by mob

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Survey reveals most Americans believe plasma donation saves lives, yet few have donated

International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW) takes place globally from October 6–10. The week encourages communities around the world to recognize the vital role of plasma in creating lifesaving medicines and honors those who donate. A new survey has found that 72% of respondents agree that plasma-derived medicines can save lives, yet most have not donated plasma.

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Survey reveals most Americans believe plasma donation saves lives, yet few have donated

International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW) takes place globally from October 6–10. The week encourages communities around the world to recognize the vital role of plasma in creating lifesaving medicines and honors those who donate. A new survey has found that 72% of respondents agree that plasma-derived medicines can save lives, yet most have not donated plasma.

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Traumatic brain injuries in older adults linked to increased risk of dementia

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in older adults are associated with new cases of dementia, use of home care services, and admission to long-term care, according to new research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

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Traumatic brain injuries in older adults linked to increased risk of dementia

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in older adults are associated with new cases of dementia, use of home care services, and admission to long-term care, according to new research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

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New intervention helps pediatricians promote early peanut introduction to prevent allergy

Results from a randomized clinical trial published in Pediatrics show that pediatricians who received targeted educational and clinical decision-support tools were significantly more likely to advise parents to introduce peanut-containing foods early—an approach recommended by national prevention guidelines but often underused in practice.

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Indian states ban cough syrup linked to child deaths

At least three Indian states have banned a cough syrup after several children died allegedly after consuming the product, said local authorities and reports.

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