West Bengal To Tighten Norms For Organising Blood Donation Camps

The West Bengal government has decided to tighten norms governing blood donation camps across the state following reports of irregularities involving privately operated blood banks, voluntary organisations and non-governmental organisations. The state Health Department plans to strengthen oversight of the organisation of camps, collection of blood units and their subsequent distribution, with greater emphasis on transparency and donor safety.

A key focus of the proposed measures will be the appointment of qualified medical officers at blood donation camps. According to a state Health Department official, authorities recently found that some organisers were appointing medical students instead of qualified doctors to reduce costs. The department has stressed that only qualified doctors with valid registration numbers should conduct the medical examination of donors before blood is collected.

The organisers will also be required to verify the credentials and registration numbers of doctors before appointing them as medical officers. Details of the doctors engaged for camps will have to be shared with the state Health Department, according to the official. Any violation of the requirements could lead to action against the organisers, as the government seeks to prevent unqualified personnel from undertaking responsibilities involving donor health assessments.

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The state government also plans to ask medical colleges and hospitals, including government and private institutions, to inform students about the risks and disciplinary consequences of working as medical officers at blood donation camps. The Health Department official noted that medical students could face disciplinary measures, including issues related to registration, if they accept such roles without the required qualifications.

Meanwhile, the Health Department has begun inspecting the infrastructure available at private blood banks across West Bengal amid reports of alleged black-marketing of blood and plasma. Officials are examining whether these facilities have adequate systems for screening and preserving collected blood and whether their infrastructure is capable of handling the volume of blood collected through frequent donation camps.

The inspections are also intended to determine whether the quantity of blood being collected by private blood banks is consistent with their available storage and processing capacity. Through tighter monitoring of blood donation camps and private blood banks, the state government is seeking to improve transparency, strengthen safeguards for donors and ensure that collected blood is handled and distributed through appropriate systems.

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