NAUSHAHRO FEROZE, March 13: Raids were carried out on a number of blood banks and laboratories in Naushahro Feroze on Wednesday and seven laboratories which were found functioning without mandatory registration were sealed.

The raids were conducted by Judicial Magistrate Hafia Misbahuddin Phulpoto who accompanied health department focal person Dr Munawwar Hussain and personnel of the law-enforcement agencies. An FIR (5/13) under sections 269 and 419 of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered at the Naushahro Feroze police station against operators of the unregistered labs. No arrests were, however, made.

District Health Officer Dr Ali Gohar Dahri said that the raids were carried out on various complaints regarding illegal operation of blood banks and laboratories in the city. He said that according to his information, as many as 72 laboratories were functioning in different towns of Naushahro Feroze district.

He said that higher officials of the health department had already been informed of the situation.