Illegal blood trade: Six Bengal blood banks under probe, 11 barred from donation camps

At least six blood banks in West Bengal are under investigation for allegedly selling blood to individuals and private blood banks outside the state, in what health department officials have described as an inter-state, multi-crore racket. The development has prompted authorities to bar 11 blood banks from organising donation drives until the probe is complete.

The sale of blood is prohibited under the National Blood Policy, which was introduced in 2002. Officials said raids have been conducted at blood banks in Kolkata, Howrah, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Nadia and North Dinajpur districts over the past two weeks. Large quantities of plasma were found to have been sold to entities in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, among other states.

The restrictions, which came into effect on August 1, apply to blood banks including Ashok Laboratory, Life Care, Kothari Medical and Health Point Hospital. These facilities are still permitted to collect blood from donors at their centres, but cannot organise external blood donation camps until the investigation concludes.

Health department officials said the racket, allegedly worth crores of rupees, functioned without the knowledge of the authorities. The illegal sale of blood and plasma raises serious concerns about the safety and ethics of blood transfusion services, as policies mandate that blood donation must be voluntary and non-remunerated.

Last week, Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee told reporters that officials found instances of donors being given gifts at a camp in South 24 Parganas. “You can give food, flowers, a badge or a certificate to a donor, but you cannot give gifts. We recorded instances of donors getting fans, mixer grinders, clocks and money,” said Dr. Mukherjee.

The National Blood Policy, introduced in 2002, aims to ensure safe and adequate blood supplies through voluntary donation. It strictly prohibits the sale of blood, with violations treated as a punishable offence. The current investigation underscores the need for stricter oversight of blood banks and their compliance with established norms.

Authorities have not yet named any individuals in connection with the case, and the blood banks under scrutiny have not publicly responded to the allegations. The investigation is ongoing, and further actions will depend on the findings.