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ACT III OF 2004 ACT III OF 2004 BALOCHISTAN SAFE BLOOD TRANSFUSION ACT, 2004 An Act, to provide for the establishment of the Balochistan Safe Blood Transfusion Authority in the Province of Balochistan. [Gazette of Balochistan Extraordinary, 8th May, 2004] No.PAB/Legis. V(15)/2004, dated 8-5-2004.--The Balochistan Safe Blood Transfusion Bill, 2004 having been passed by the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan on 4th May, 2004 and assented to by the, Governor of Balochistan, is hereby published as an Act of the Provincial Assembly. It is hereby enacted as follows:-- 8. Powers and Functions of the Authority.---(1) Notwithstanding anything repugnant to the spirit and provisions of this Act, the Authority shall have the following functions and powers, to be implemented in the manner prescribed in the rules:-- (i) To register, and receive applications for, and grant, extend, modify, amend, suspend, renew, or revoke registration status and/or a licence; or declare exemption for creation, operation and/or any related matter of a Blood Bank in the Province: (ii) To set and implement requirements to be fulfilled for all applications for grant of any registration or licence for a Blood Bank. (iii) To set and implement terms, conditions, restrictions, category, or vary imposition of the provisions of this Act, or any rules or any regulations promulgated under this Act, as may be prescribed in the rules for grant of any registration or licence for Blood Banks in the Province. (iv) To develop and enforce guidelines, standards, standard operating procedures, operating procedures in special situation; rules and regulations, for Blood Banks, their registration and licence; including but not limited to requirement of professional qualification and training standard of professional staff of all categories working in a Blood Bank, management of Blood Banks, and matters connected and ancillary thereto in the Province. (v) To maintain a register of Blood Banks in the Province, and matters connected and ancillary thereto. (vi) To provide and cause public information in the matter as and if considered necessary, as under the rules. (vii) To issue certificates and such other insignia to the registered Blood Banks to, display their registration status with the Authority. (viii) To monitor the working of, and/or cause inspection of Blood Banks regarding compliance with the provisions of this Act, and rules and regulations made hereunder; and to take all measures that may become required, or , considered necessary by the Authority for the enforcement and achievement of the objectives of this Act. (ix) To prescribe, review, approve and regulate tariff for professional fees and charges pertaining to Blood Bank services. (x) To prescribe, review, approve, and regulate fees and charges in respect of any of its functions as under the rules. (xi) To prescribe fines for contravention of the provisions of this Act, as under the rules. (xii) To impose and collect fees, charges, fines, and any other charges in respect of any of its functions, as may have been prescribed under the rules. (xiii) To take measures considered necessary, to protect legitimate interests of the patients and the public in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (xiv) To take measures considered necessary to protect legitimate interests of individuals and concerns operating and providing services as registered Blood Banks in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (xv) To explore, receive reports, assess, analyze, review, hear, and consider cases/complaints regarding contraventions of the provisions of this Act, and decide the manner of disposal in all such matters. (xvi) To review, modify, vary set aside, or change in any other manner considered fit, its decisions as under the rules. (xvii) Formulate Committees and sub-committees and assign appropriate persons as their members to undertake any tasks consequential to the realization of the objectives of this Act. (xviii) to commission research, investigate, conduct hearing, and receive advice on any matter considered necessary. (xix) To contract out expert services or special assignments, as the case may be for the achievement of the purposes of this Act. (xx) Prescribe a minimum standard reporting system for professional services performed and management of Blood Banks. (xxi) Develop and implement training programs to improve Blood Bank Service in the Province. (xxii) Undertake mass awareness and public education campaigns for promotion of Blood Donation, Safe Blood Tranfusion, and to promote effective utilization of Blood Bank Services by the public and the medical professions in the province. (xxiii) To establish a Provincial Blood Donation Committee with assigning appropriate persons on it, for furtherance of the cause of Blood Donation in the Province as under the rules. (xxiv) To prescribe and adopt the rules of business for the smooth functioning of the Authority in all matters connected and ancillary to the purposes of this Act as under the rules. (xxv) Tender technical advice to the Government and authorities concerned to improve Blood Bank Services in the Province, and on all other such 'matters as may be required of it. (xxvi) To undertake all such Bills as may be incidental or consequential to the performance of any of its functions or the exercise of any of its powers. (xxvii) To undertake any assignment directed by the Government. (2) In performing its functions the Authority, as far as possible and practicable, protect the interests of the patients, public, and providers of the Blood Bank Services, in light of the Health Policy and Guidelines for the time being in force, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. (3) As soon as possible, but not later than ninety (90) days of its establishment, the Authority shall by notification in the official Gazette and mass media, declare the rules and regulations on minimum standards for Blood Banks; the requirement for registration and further issuance of licence to operate, to Blood Banks in the Province, to be amended from time to time in light of internationally and nationally accepted norms as and when considered necessary. (4) A ninety (90) days grace period, or as determined by the Authority, will be allowed from the date of notification of rules and regulations in section (3) of rule 8, for all Blood Banks in the Province to register with the Authority-and obtain a valid licence to operate, after which time no Blood Bank will be allowed to operate which is not so registered with and is further duly licensed to operate by the Authority as may be prescribed under the rules. (5) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited by the Director General Audit Balochistan.