Police in UP’s Prayagraj have arrested 10 people for selling blood plasma in the form of platelets to the families of dengue patients.
The arrests come in the backdrop of a separate case in the city in which a hospital was allegedly giving sweet lime (Mosambi) Give juice in the form of platelets to dengue patient, who later died. It is not yet proven whether the packet contained juice; Police said a report is awaited and the “rasa” theory is still being talked about on social media.
Police said, these 10 people were taking plasma from blood banks and repackaging them in the form of platelets – both components of blood but used for treatment of various diseases, demand of platelets in dengue cases happens more.
District police chief Shailesh Pandey said, “We questioned these men about the gang in Prayagraj possibly coming out of the juice in the form of platelets, but they said that was not happening – rather blood plasma is being treated as platelets. being passed.”
“Dengue has spread a lot in recent days, which has increased the demand for platelets. These people were taking advantage of this and mostly duping the poor people,” the official said.
The arrest was made on a tip-off, he said, adding that some cash, mobile phones and vehicles besides plasma pouches were confiscated.
Mr. Pandey also said that a few days back, 12 people were arrested in Prayagraj for illegally supplying blood.
Asked about the case of a private hospital being sealed on Thursday for allegedly transfusing fruit juices instead of blood platelets, he said, “A sample is being sent to a laboratory and a correct picture will be tested.” Will come out only after that.”
The hospital was sealed after a video of the alleged incident went viral with the claim “juice”. Officials had said that the patient, Pradeep Pandey, was shifted to another hospital, where he died after his condition deteriorated.
An FIR has been registered in the local police station regarding the matter.
The owner of the private hospital had claimed that the platelets were brought from a different medical facility and the reaction developed after three units were transfused to the patient.