ISLAMABAD: The National Control Laboratory for Biologics (NCLB), a research facility run by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), does not have a generator to skirt power outages, and the temperature fluctuation is compromising the quality of vaccines and medicine stored in the lab.

This was revealed during a visit of the Senate Committee on National Health Services to the lab based in Chak Shehzad where it was briefed by the NCLB and Drap officials on various aspects, including the budget for upgrading health labs.

During the visit of the Senate panel headed by Humayun Mohmand, the facility did not have any power, prompting the senators to inquire about the availability of an alternative power source. Mr Mohmand termed it a serious matter and said the “vaccines were being turned into poison” due to the frequent fluctuations in temperature.

The committee, chaired by Senator Humayun Mohmand, raised serious concerns about the absence of a generator at the facility amid power outages which were compromising the quality of medicine and vaccines due to temperature fluctuations.

Senate panel directs health ministry to procure generator within one week

The Drap head apprised the committee that 400 KVA wiring was required for the installation of a power generator.

The committee inquired about the composition and working of the policy board and remarked that such negligence was a criminal offence. It directed the health ministry to immediately convene a meeting with the policy board to make a decision regarding power outages and subsequent procurement of a generator within seven days. It sought a report on a priority basis.

Senator Asad Ali Khan Junejo recommended that the power ministry should be asked to stop load shedding in the area for the sake of the lab. He also sought the record of the “discarded vaccines which were expired due to changes in the temperature”. Drap, however, said that the vaccines stored in the lab were only “testing vaccines” not meant for patients.

NCLB officials informed the Senate panel that due to various government restrictions, the lab had difficulties obtaining funds to improve its facilities and operations. Drap CEO Asim Rauf said that funds to the tune of Rs60 million remained unutilised for a year due to certain legal complications.

The special secretary of the health ministry said that the changes have been made in the mechanism of utilisation of funds and a summary was awaited for its approval.

The Senate committee members also visited the Federal General Hospital and inspected various wards. The committee chairman said the 200-bed hospital spread over an area of 22 kanals was inoperable due to the unavailability of surgeons and specialists. It was observed that the staff recruited for the hospital was transferred on deputation to Polyclinic and Pims. The committee directed the ministry not to make more deputations.

The committee, while making visits to different wards, observed there was no ventilation system in the hospital, leading to the accumulation of germs. It was also observed that the air conditioners were also not installed at the hospital, particularly affecting the wounded patients.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2023