Kolkata14 minutes agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
The West Bengal Health Department has alleged massive irregularities involving several private blood banks, claiming that the suspected scam could eventually cross ₹100 crore. Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee on Monday announced that FIRs would be filed on Tuesday against multiple private blood banks following an internal investigation.
Health Point Blood Bank ordered shut
The minister said the matter would be discussed with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and an appropriate investigating agency could be assigned to probe the alleged malpractice.
One of the blood banks, Health Point Blood Bank, has already been ordered to stop operations immediately. According to the Health Department, it has been barred from collecting blood or handling blood products, including Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP), after officials found serious violations during inspections.
Costly gifts allegedly attracted blood donors
Mukherjee alleged that several private blood banks were using expensive gifts, including pressure cookers, pedestal fans, and shopping vouchers worth nearly ₹1,000, to attract donors and organisers of blood donation camps. During inspections, several club members and Durga Puja committee organisers reportedly admitted that they often selected blood banks based on the incentives offered rather than public service.
Plasma extraction became primary profit motive
The minister further alleged that some blood banks were primarily focused on extracting Fresh Frozen Plasma, a valuable blood component, for commercial gains. He claimed that, in certain cases, more blood than the permissible limit was allegedly collected from donors to maximise plasma extraction.
Citing inspection findings, Mukherjee said one blood donation camp in Bagnan, Howrah, allegedly collected 476 units of blood within six hours, a figure he described as medically unrealistic considering the manpower and infrastructure required.
Screening lapses raise serious health concerns
The Health Department has also alleged serious lapses in screening procedures. According to the minister, individuals suffering from Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C were allegedly allowed to donate blood in some instances. He also claimed that certain blood banks charged thalassaemia patients up to ₹1,400 for blood despite concessional provisions, while donor card holders were allegedly denied the free blood they are entitled to receive.
Government tightens surveillance, revises plasma pricing
Officials estimate that illegal transactions involving plasma from the 11 blood banks currently under scrutiny may have generated nearly ₹3.5 crore in recent months. The minister further alleged that unauthorised movement of plasma from West Bengal to Jharkhand could involve another ₹4 crore, adding that the total value of the suspected scam may eventually exceed ₹100 crore.
Voluntary donation drive planned before Puja
As part of corrective measures, the state government has decided to revise the price of Fresh Frozen Plasma in West Bengal from ₹4,117 per litre to ₹7,000 per litre, bringing it in line with Kerala’s pricing. The revised pricing policy will be accompanied by stricter monitoring of private blood banks, Mukherjee said.
The minister also appealed to clubs, Durga Puja committees, and residential associations to organise voluntary blood donation camps during the Durga Puja period or immediately afterwards, noting that blood collection usually declines after mid-August.
