Auditors from the Ministry of Health are today expected to begin a probe into the procurement and information management systems at the National Blood Transfusion Service.

The auditors were called in by the Health Minister, Ruddy Spencer after The Gleaner reported last week that the blood bank was facing a shortage of blood bags.

The absence of the blood bags had caused the bank to turn away donors from some of its collection centres.

The Health Ministry received close to 1000 bags last Thursday and said an additional shipment is expected at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has refused to take blame for the unavailability of the bags.

According to the Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Dr Jean Dixon, the shortage resulted from lack of proper monitoring of the supplies by authorities at the blood bank.

Dr Dixon said following the audit, a report will be produced, which should help in the development of a procedural manual.

The Health Ministry has already taken over management of the procurement process at the blood bank.