West Bengal: 6 private blood banks under scanner over alleged inter-state trafficking

West Bengal: The West Bengal Health Department has conducted raids at six private blood banks across the state following complaints of alleged illegal inter-state blood trafficking and violations of blood donation norms.

Inspection teams visited the blood banks to investigate allegations that blood units were being transferred to neighbouring states for money and that some blood donation camps were being conducted without the presence of qualified personnel.

According to reports, the inspections were carried out at six private blood banks, including one in Kolkata and others in the districts of Howrah, Nadia, Uttar Dinajpur, Purba Bardhaman, and Paschim Bardhaman. Officials said the inspection reports will be reviewed before any further action is initiated.

According to officials, the department received complaints that some private blood banks were allegedly transferring blood and blood components in bulk to neighbouring states in exchange for money. Authorities noted that while blood banks are permitted to recover only the government-approved processing charges, the sale of blood or its components is prohibited under the existing regulations.

“We have received complaints that some private blood banks were transferring blood units in bulk to neighbouring states for money. Selling blood or its components is illegal. Blood banks can only charge the govt-fixed processing fee,” a blood safety official at Swasthya Bhawan said. Officials also received complaints about camps being conducted without qualified and registered personnel, reports The Times of India.

The latest inspections are part of the state's ongoing crackdown on alleged irregularities in blood banking services. Earlier, the Health Department had seized documents from three private blood banks in Kolkata as part of a similar investigation into suspected violations.

West Bengal currently has 89 state-run, 17 Central government-run and 89 private blood centres, making regulatory oversight an important aspect of ensuring safe blood collection, storage and distribution across the state.

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