(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news report about selling and replacement of blood appearing in the Indian Express dated June 15, 2002;
(b) if so, the facts of the matter reported therein;
(c) whether any inquiry has been conducted into the matter;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) : Yes Sir.
(b) : Rotary Blood Bank authorities have stated that they do not refuse to draw blood from poor people or rickshaw pullers. In their brochure they emphasise that the poor should not be exploited with paltry sums of money for donation of their blood. However, the poor people are not branded as a risk group in respect of blood donation.
(c) & (d) : No inquiry has been conducted by the Government. The fact is that any blood sample must meet certain minimum prescribed standards in terms of haemoglobin and absence of transfusion transmitted infection etc. If the blood sample conforms to these standards, it is accepted for purposes of transfusion. This ensures the collection of safe blood.
(e) : Does not arise.