PATHANAMTHITTA: Health Minister Veena George has intervened to put an end to the blood trade taking place in Pathanamthitta with the knowledge of government doctors. The minister intervened after Kerala Kaumudi reported that pregnant women referred for labor surgery at Kozhencherry District Hospital are being sent to private hospitals for blood. The minister has directed the Director of the Health Department to investigate the incident. Following this, District Medical Officer Dr L Anithakumari sought a report from District Hospital Superintendent Dr Nitish. Kerala Kaumudi had reported that some doctors in the District Hospital are engaged in the blood trade by teaming up with private hospitals.

Although blood is available for free at the blood bank in the Pathanamthitta General Hospital, pregnant women are being sent to private hospitals. Private hospitals are charging 3000 rupees for conducting tests to find blood suitable for each person. The doctors of the District Hospital are sending the patients to the private hospital saying that the blood in the blood bank of the General Hospital is not good. It is reported that government doctors are getting a commission by doing this. These doctors are taking advantage of the fact that pregnant women, other patients, and their relatives are reluctant to complain about this. People belonging to middle-class families, those below the poverty line, and Scheduled Tribes are the ones who mostly depend on the District Hospital.