THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre has decided to put a lock on private blood banks and hospitals that sell blood, given by the donor as a service, for up to Rs 10,000. Only a processing fee of Rs 250 to a maximum of Rs 1550 can be charged now. The order comes from the Drugs Control General of India.

The new order is a big relief for thalassemia and sickle cell patients who undergo regular blood transfusions and those undergoing surgery. If packed red blood cells are being sold only Rs.1550 can be charged. For plasma and platelets only 250-400 rupees per pack can be charged. The State Drugs Controller should ensure that no exorbitant prices are charged. Complaints should be investigated and action taken.

Last year, a directive was issued not to treat blood as a commodity, but the price was fixed in a situation where no results were seen. Private institutions charge Rs 2000 to Rs 6000 for a common group. If it is a rare blood group, it will cost up to Rs. 10,000. Processing fees are additional.

Kerala requires an average of six lakh units of blood per year. Thiruvananthapuram needs 600-700 units of blood a day.

Donors went down; loot went up

• There has been a huge decrease in the number of blood donors in the state after covid
• This became an opportunity for private lobbies to charge as much as they want
• Anyone who is healthy can donate blood up to the age of 65
• Men can donate blood once in 3 months and women once in 4 months
• 350 ml of donated blood will be replenished in the body within 48 hours

The practice of trading blood for a huge profit margin must end. The tendency to see profit in blood is not right

-K.P. Rajagopalan

President, Federation of Indian Blood Donors Organization