Not all that is red is blood

Blood, the vital essence of human life, symbolises the highest form of generosity - the act of saving another's life. Yet, this noble deed has been desecrated by unscrupulous syndicates who have turned blood donation into a deadly business. Recent revelations in Bangladesh about mixing saline into collected blood have exposed a shocking level of corruption that endangers countless lives.

According to media reports, dishonest groups collect blood at a nominal price from slum dwellers and drug addicts, ignoring health risks and safety standards. They then mix normal saline with the collected blood to increase its volume, diluting its life-saving components like haemoglobin.

One such horrifying case was recently uncovered at a private blood bank in Savar, where authorities found bags of blood being mixed with saline. Similar illegal and unhygienic blood centres reportedly operate across Dhaka, posing grave risks to both donors and recipients.

This is not merely fraud; it is a crime against humanity. To end this deadly trade, strict legal action must be taken against those involved. The government should form a joint task force comprising health and law enforcement agencies to conduct regular inspections and ensure compliance. The licensing process for blood banks must also be made transparent and strictly enforced.

Sadia Islam Kasfia

Student,

Department of Bengali,

Jagannath University