Inspections by health wing authorities in Vijayawada have exposed the illegal practices of private blood banks in the city of charging money from thalassemia patients against the rules. 

The city′s Doctors Blood Bank and Lions Club blood banks were inspected, and the records were validated, by GS Naveen Kumar, special secretary for the health department and project director of the AP State Aids Control Society (APSACS). Inquiring about the tariff collected, Mr. Naveen spoke with the recipients and found that despite providing their medical data, many thalassemia patients were being charged money in the Doctors′ Blood Bank. 

Health wing officials wrote to the blood bank asking for an explanation for the same. According to Mr. Naveen Kumar, every private blood bank should donate 30% of the blood they obtain to government hospitals. He cautioned them to keep accurate records of the blood being stored and rigorously adhere to the APSACS and National Aids Control Organization′s recommendations (NACO). 

He further emphasized that blood banks were meant for saving lives. Blood banks deliver platelets, plasma, and other components in advance of the viral fever season at rates set by the government. Commercializing blood bank operations was a crime and hence punishable. Patients with thalassemia should be able to receive blood for free. (Times of India, Jul 28, 2022)