Infected donors, unsafe blood

Blood collected from professional donors is also of lower quality and often infected with germs of diseases, it was gathered from sources at blood banks.

At least 50 per cent of the total blood collected in the city is from professional donors and most of them are sick or drug addicts. They are often seen sitting on the premises of the blood banks and sell blood only to buy drugs.

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According to the sources, the blood of professional donors contains inadequate blood cells and harmful microorganisms and chemicals like HBsAg (Hepatitis B virus antigen).

In Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) blood bank, at least 30 per cent of the collected blood is from professional donors, 50 per cent from relatives of patients and the rest from voluntary donors, said a study report.

RMCH blood bank chief Dr Mosaddek Hossain said that they collect and supply blood after screening tests under the Safe Blood Transfusion Programme. The tests include HIV (virus of AIDS), HBsAg, HCV (Hepatitis C virus) and VDRL (test for syphilis).

In 2003, a total of 12,500 blood bags were collected in the hospital. Of those, HCV positive was found in 44 bags, HBsAg positive in 33 bags and VDRL positive in eight bags. However, no HIV positive was found in any of the blood bags.

Private blood banks do not have any screening facility, the sources said. Some of the owners of blood banks admitted that usually they do any go for screening test of donors' blood. They all said screening tests cost about Tk 450 and they are to give Tk 90 per bag to professional donor.

"Per bag screened blood should sell at no less than Tk 700, which most buyers cannot afford," said an owner of a private blood bank. Private blood banks usually sell blood at around Tk 350 per bag.

There are six private blood banks in the city and each sells about 200 bags of blood a month.

But men at private blood bank usually tell buyers recipients that they have performed screening tests and their blood is safe, it is alleged.