Kolkata, Jul 28 (PTI) The West Bengal Health Department has launched raids on several private blood banks across the state following allegations of large-scale illegal transportation of blood and plasma to other states in violation of prescribed norms, officials said on Tuesday.
Health Department teams conducted searches at private blood banks in Howrah and Purba Bardhaman districts as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged irregularities.
Preliminary findings suggest that nearly 10,000 units of blood and plasma may have been transported from a private blood bank in Howrah without following mandatory procedures, officials said.
During the raids, officials examined registers, blood collection and distribution records and other documents.
Several records have been seized for scrutiny as part of the investigation.
A similar inspection was carried out at a private blood bank located along National Highway-19 in Purba Bardhaman. Investigators suspect that the facility organised blood donation camps far in excess of actual local requirements and subsequently diverted the collected blood to outside the state.
A senior official of the state Health Department said the inspections were aimed at verifying whether blood banks had complied with statutory guidelines governing inter-state movement of blood and blood components.
“We have found certain discrepancies during the preliminary inquiry, and all relevant records are being examined. The investigation is at a crucial stage, and appropriate action will be taken if any violation of the rules is established,” the official said.
The official said the department was also verifying whether mandatory approvals had been obtained before blood or plasma was sent outside West Bengal.
“Under the existing guidelines, bulk movement of blood or plasma from one state to another requires prior written approval from both the State Blood Transfusion Council and the National Blood Transfusion Council. We are examining whether these requirements were complied with in each case,” the official said.
According to the Health Department, seven private blood banks across the state are under the scanner in connection with the alleged irregularities.
Incidentally, the state government had constituted a special committee a few days ago to investigate the allegations. Officials suspect that an organised network involving influential individuals or groups operating within and outside West Bengal could be behind the alleged illegal trade.
“The committee has begun its work, and every aspect of the allegations, including the possible involvement of organised networks, is being thoroughly investigated. No conclusions have been drawn yet, and further action will depend on the findings of the inquiry,” he added. PTI SCH ACD
