PESHAWAR, Nov 20: A spokesman for the Aids Control Programme, NWFP, has refuted a news report in a section of the press regarding malpractices and embezzlement in the Safe Blood Transfusion Cell and HIV/Aids Control Programme and termed it baseless.

The spokesman said that the procurement of HIV and HB kits for the year 2005-06 had not been done so far as formalities were not yet completed and the NOC of the finance department was awaited.

As the procurement procedure had not been completed, hence the question of misuse or embezzlement did not arise and that the funds had not been released by the World Bank/Government Treasury.

Moreover, as per procedures even when the procurement formalities are completed funds are directly transferred to Unicef from the World Bank/Government Treasury.

The kits provided by Unicef are received by SBT Cell and are distributed to public sector blood banks only.

After receipt of the kits it becomes the responsibility of the hospital authority and a proper utilisation report is submitted by them to the health department, he said.—PPI