Desire to Buy a Smartphone Tempts 3 Medically Unfit Teenagers to Donate Blood

A desire to own a smartphone lured three youngsters to donate blood for a fee of Rs.500 per unit. UP health officials raid at the Kohli Pathology and Blood Bank has reported that the three medically unfit boys were tempted by the blood bank personnals to donate blood.

The three boys has been arrested by the police and the blood bank has been sealed. All the three were from economically weak families.

"I have been saving money for some time to buy a cell phone. When an agent from the blood bank told me that I could earn some extra money, I couldn't resist," said a 14-year-old boy.

He reportedly has been working as a salesman at a garment shop for a salary of Rs. 2000 per month. Another boy is a class IX dropout, who needed money for his personal daily expenses.

"I am looking for a job for the past one year and don't want to be burden on my mother anymore. A few bucks in a month through blood donation provides me enough `pocket money'," he said.

Police reported that the three persons has been approached by two agents of the blood bank.

"He assured me that I would not feel any weakness after donating blood," told the 14-year-old.

The legal age for blood donation is 18 years and the level of hemoglobin in a donor should be 13. In this case, the raiding team found that all three were under-age and hemoglobin levels below 12.



Source: Medindia