The centre has received a proposal from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) to raise the price of blood per unit — 350 cc — in hospitals by 140%. If the centre gives the go-ahead, the cost of one unit of blood will shoot up to Rs 1,200 from the present Rs 500. Once government hospitals raise rates, private hospitals are likely to follow suit.

Such a steep hike will affect not just the BPL patients but also the people in general. Currently, India has an annual shortage of about 2 mn units of blood. For a population of 1.2 bn, India needs 12 mn units annually. While NACO says the hike is needed to ensure safe blood for everyone and meet the increased cost of collection, the decision is likely to tax patients in future.

So, do you think the centre should approve the hike?