West Bengal Health Department bans 11 blood banks from donation camps

On August 1, the West Bengal Health Department announced a statewide ban on 11 blood banks, prohibiting them from organizing any blood donation camps until further notice. The ban follows an investigation by the State Blood Transfusion Board into serious irregularities, including allegations that the banks illegally sold blood and plasma to other states and operated camps without required permissions.

The department has conducted raids in Kolkata and surrounding districts, seizing documents related to the case. While the ban covers external donation camps, internal blood collection and processing may continue under trained staff, subject to strict oversight. The investigation remains ongoing.