LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday directed the Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority (PBTA) to furnish a comprehensive report about steps taken to stop illegal sale of plasma by the patient recovered from Coronavirus. Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan was hearing a petition questioning government's performance on plasma sale. Pursuant to court's order, Secretary Health Nabeel Awan and officials of the Healthcare Commission and the PBTA appeared before the court. To a court's query, the secretary health admitted that the PBTA was not fully functional. The CJ regretted that issues regarding blood transfusion were being reported on daily basis but the government functionaries had turned a deaf ear to it, adding that all affairs could not be run while sitting at Lahore. The CJ said plasma was being sold for Rs. 500,000 to Rs 600,000 but the government was unable to stop it. Answering to a court query, the secretary health said the best facilities were being provided to Covid-19 patients. The CJ regretted that the government had a system in place but no action had been taken against sellers of plasma.

He said private hospitals were minting money from Coronavirus patients. However, officials of the Healthcare Commission said up to Rs 250,000 were being charged from patients admitted to ICUs while less money was being charged for common room patients.