Bloods donation camps spring up in Fatehgarh Sahib ahead of Jor Mela sans permissions
The Shaheedi Jor Mela is scheduled to be held from December 25 to 27, but blood donation camps sans proper permission from the health department have begun to spring up in the city. The camps are allegedly flouting all norms, including basics like them being set up in a dust-free environment.
The organisers, on being questioned about the nature of the camps, say they are being run by charitable institutions.
Notably, the camps were set up roadside in crowded areas and blood was being collected by junior staff in the absence of any supervising doctor.
Gurwinder Singh Sohi, president of JAGO, a non-governmental organization, and Tarlochan Singh Lalli, another social activist, alleged the role of a “blood mafi”.
They added that private institutions exploit the sentiments of the devotees and collect blood to be sold at exorbitant rates to private hospitals.
They demanded that previous records of blood camps be investigated and cases be registered against them.
When contacted Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sona Thind said she has directed the civil surgeon to visit all such camps set up near the Jor Mela venue and to investigate it.
The DC added that strict instructions had been given to ensure such camps don’t come up and that she will send more officials with health department officers to ensure an end to the issue.
Civil Surgeon Dr Devinderjit Kaur, meanwhile, refused to answer any questions. When asked whether her office had given the permission to the organisers of these camps, she expressed ignorance.
However, she said permissions for camps will be given from December 24 onwards after proper police verification. She refused to respond to any further queries.
