Bhopal: Blood is one of the most basic, life-saving necessities in hospitals, something every patient should get without hassle. But a recent NDTV sting operation, Operation Blood, has revealed a shocking truth from Madhya Pradesh: blood is openly being sold through an illegal market in government and private hospitals, cancer centers, and even near AIIMS Bhopal.
Operation Blood
Over several weeks, NDTV’s undercover team busted a racket where blood was exchanged for cash, ignoring patient need or urgency. Whether a patient was healthy or HIV-positive, blood was available for ₹2,500 per unit—no proper donor checks, no medical prescriptions, no receipts. Everyone from hospital staff to brokers, ambulance drivers, and vendors was involved.
Blood Selling at Government Hospitals
At Hamidia Hospital, blood was sold under the name “arrangements” with no prescription required—only cash. Jai Prakash Hospital had an organized network involving staff and auto drivers in the parking lot, who openly connected patients to brokers.
As one parking attendant said bluntly, “Inside, they ask for donors. Outside, they ask for money.”
Cancer Hospitals Treat Blood as a Commodity
At Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital, a broker casually quoted ₹4,050 for O-negative blood, breaking down donor charges and testing fees with no shame. These are hospitals where people are already fighting for their lives, and here, blood was reduced to a price tag. At Navodaya Cancer Hospital, already flagged for suspicious supply, staff openly quoted prices between ₹2,500 and ₹3,000.
AIIMS Bhopal: A Market Outside the Hospital Gate
Even AIIMS Bhopal, which is often seen as the last resort for many patients, wasn’t spared either. Brokers, donors, and ambulance drivers openly operated outside the hospital, selling blood for ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 without asking for any ID or verification.
An ambulance driver admitted, “You’ll get it for money. I’ll connect you.”
Private Blood Banks Were No Different
Private blood banks like New Bhopal, Manas, and Lifeline followed the same pattern, selling blood for a fixed price without proper checks. Even when undercover reporters said they were HIV-positive, they were offered blood without hesitation.
Why This Matters
This isn’t the first time a racket like this has come to light, but the way it’s spread across hospitals and blood banks shows how deep the problem goes. Blood—something that should be donated and safely handled—is being sold openly like any other item, with barely any checks.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Pooja Bansal/MSM)