Mangaluru
Private hospital blood banks and non-government blood banks have been directed by Deputy Commissioner MP Mullai Muhilan to adhere to government guidelines regarding charges for blood and its components. According to the directives, the processing charge for whole blood and packed blood cells should be Rs 1,450 for non-BPL families.
For BPL families, the charges are set at Rs 350 in non-government blood banks and Rs 725 in private hospital blood banks for whole blood. Similarly, the cost for packed blood cells is Rs 300 in non-government blood banks and Rs 725 in private hospitals for BPL families.
Regarding fresh frozen plasma and platelets, blood banks are instructed to charge Rs 200 each for BPL families and Rs 400 each for non-BPL families. In government hospitals, these services are provided free of charge to BPL families. Non-BPL families are required to pay Rs 350 for whole blood, Rs 300 for packed blood cells, and Rs 200 each for fresh frozen plasma and platelets.
Deputy Commissioner MP Mullai Muhilan emphasized that stringent action will be taken against blood banks that overcharge. Earlier, Assembly Speaker UT Khader had instructed all districts to monitor and prevent excessive charges by blood banks.
