The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- At least six blood banks in West Bengal are being investigated for allegedly selling blood illegally to individuals and private blood banks in other States, described by Health Department officials as an inter-State, multi-crore racket.
- Raids over the past two weeks in Kolkata, Howrah, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Nadia and North Dinajpur reportedly found plasma sold to entities in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, among other States.
- Blood sales are prohibited under the National Blood Policy of 2002, and donors cannot legally be given gifts, though officials recorded donors receiving items like fans, mixer grinders and money.
- Around 11 blood banks, including some well-known facilities, have been barred from organising donation drives from August 1 until the investigation concludes, though they can still collect blood at their centres.
What to watch next
- Findings and penalties from the ongoing Health Department investigation into the six blood banks.
- Whether the ban on donation drives is lifted or extended to more blood banks.
- Any action against the prohibited donor incentives flagged by Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee.
Coverage1
1 report
English national1
All filed from India
Named India · Ashok Laboratory · Health Point Hospital · Kolkata · Kothari Medical · Life Care · Health department · Sharadwat Mukherjee · West Bengal
The 1 report is listed beside the record.
Ask this story
Answers cite the reports above, or say they can't.