Kolkata: The health department on Tuesday raided six private blood banks across Bengal, including one in Kolkata, following complaints of irregularities ranging from illegal trafficking of blood and blood components to violation of norms at blood donation camps.The centres inspected included Om Blood Bank in Beleghata, Howrah Thalassemia Blood Centre, Krishnanagar Institute of Medical Sciences Blood Bank, Upasam Blood Centre in Raiganj, Tesera Om Blood Centre in Shaktigarh and Raniganj Institute of Medical Sciences Blood Centre.“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.Inspection teams will submit reports on their findings.Earlier, the department had seized documents from Health Point Blood Bank, Ashok Blood Bank and Life Care Blood Bank in Kolkata. Bengal has 89 state-run, 17 central govt-run and 89 private blood centres.
