JNIMS clarifies on blood price
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 22 2012: Reacting to the news item published in connection with the exchange of blood at Rs 1700 per unit at JNIMS, Director in-charge M Shyamo clarified that the price was in conformity with the order issued by the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) .

The SBTC was set up under the Manipur AIDS Control Society and its president is Health and Family Welfare Commissioner.

As per an order issued by the SBTC on October 10, 2008, the price of packed red cell or whole blood unit is Rs 350 for patients undergoing treatment in Govt hospitals and Rs 850 for patients undergoing treatment in private hospitals.

Respective prices for the two types of patients of fresh frozen plasma are Rs 200 and Rs 400, platelet concentrate Rs 200 and Rs 400, cryoprecipitate Rs 100 and Rs 200 and platelet rich plasma Rs 200 and Rs 400 per unit, said Shyamo.

20 per cent of the amount earned from selling blood units were deposited with SBTC.

Informing that blood bank of JNIMS was opened by NACO through MACS, the Director-in-charge said that salaries of the staff (of the blood bank) are being paid by MACS.

However, the order issued by the SBTC on October 10, 2008 did not mention anything about variation in the prices of blood units between those who come with donors and those who come to buy blood without any donor for exchange.

One member of the SBTC said that the blood bank of JNIMS is not an independent body.

The existing blood bank evolved from the blood bank of JN Hospital.

After NACO issued licences to all the blood banks operating across the country, MACS has been providing necessary support to JNIMS blood bank.

After depositing 20 per cent of the User Money (money earned from selling blood units) with the SBTC, the blood bank is allowed to utilise the remaining 80 per cent for maintenance of blood bank and laboratory test for HIV, Hepatitis etc.

If one takes into account the charges for blood test and blood bags, the User Money need to be revised, the SBTC member said.

On the other hand, one official of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi said that blood units are given free of cost to patients if they come with donors.

The same case is also true for poor patients who can afford neither the price of blood nor donor, the official added.

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