Three blood banks in Mumbai have faced action from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after an investigation found that donors were given wristwatches at a blood donation camp. The action was taken for violating rules that prohibit offering gifts or other benefits to encourage voluntary blood donation.
The three blood banks are the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) Blood Centre, the blood centre at Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals in Byculla, and the blood centre at B.Y.L. Nair Charitable Hospital in Mumbai Central. The case is linked to a blood donation camp organised by the Young Star Committee on Altamount Road in Mumbai in April 2026. Promotional material for the camp promised wristwatches to people who donated blood. However, the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) guidelines do not allow blood banks to offer gifts or other benefits to attract donors.
Blood donation is considered a voluntary act of service. The rules aim to ensure that people donate blood willingly, without expecting money or gifts in return. According to reports, the organisers and the blood banks initially said they were unaware that gifts had been distributed. However, during its investigation, the FDA contacted donors and found that they had received wristwatches.
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The FDA inspected the three blood centres on August 22 and issued show-cause notices on September 2. The blood banks were asked to explain their role in the matter. After hearing their responses on September 22, the department found their explanations unsatisfactory and ordered the suspension of their licences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. The Indian Red Cross Society Blood Centre faced a five-day suspension from October 9 to 13. The blood centres at JJ Hospital and Nair Hospital faced three-day suspensions from October 9 to 11. However, the two hospital blood centres appealed against the orders and received interim relief from the state government.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said that blood donation is an important act of social responsibility and service to humanity. He stressed that gifts and other benefits should not be used to encourage people to donate blood and that all blood centres must follow the rules.
The case has raised questions about the need for strict monitoring of blood donation camps. While such camps help hospitals maintain an adequate blood supply, authorities say the process must remain voluntary and follow the rules.
The FDA’s action also serves as a reminder to blood banks and camp organisers that promotional activities must not go against the guidelines for voluntary blood donation.
