Mumbai, Oct. 16 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) plan to convert six of its blood banks into Public-Private Partnership (PPP) units under the Civic Health Collaboration model has come under heavy criticism from health activists. Experts have alleged that the project amounts to a land grab and violates multiple public health policies. The project, whose tender was floated on August 5, aims to convert three existing blood banks-Bandra Bhabha Municipal hospital, Rajawadi hospital in Ghatkopar, and Shatabdi hospital in Kandivali, to PPP units. The project also aims to start three new blood banks at the Kurla Bhabha civic hospital, MT Agrawal hospital in Mulund, and the Bhagwati hospital in Borivli. Activists highlighted that far more land than required has been allocated for these blood banks, and that too at concessional rates. As per the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) norms, only around 150 sq. m is needed to set up a blood bank. However, the Bandra Bhabha and Kurla Bhabha hospitals were initially allotted 196.87sq.m and 162.58sq.m respectively, but on October 8, the BMC released updated land allotments in a corrigendum, and increased the area to 293sqm and 235sqm. The land allotments under the project also include 367.27 sq.m at MT Agarwal Hospital, 310.55 sq.m at Bhagwati Hospital, 248.88 sq.m at Rajawadi Hospital, and 226.49 sq.m at Shatabdi Hospital. Ravi Duggal, health economist and activist said, "This is giving away public assets. If there is a minimum requirement that has been provided by the authorities, that must be given and not additional land. There is a possibility of misuse by the operators in providing the benefits expected out of them." A key concern of activists is the absence of any clause mandating free blood for thalassemia, haemophilia, or sickle cell anaemia patients. The tender only states that such patients should be provided blood at concessional rates. Jigar Kotecha, secretary of the Haemophilia Society (Mumbai chapter), said, "It is a mandate under central and state government to provide blood free of cost to all patients requiring treatment for blood-related diseases." The tender also states that contractors can add additional tests and charge patients separately. A BMC hospital worker said civic hospitals usually provide only basic tests since advanced tests are expensive. "These tests can often cost up to Rs.2,000 for patients who will already be paying around Rs.1,100," said the official. Chandrakant Pawar, chief medical superintendent of peripheral BMC hospitals, did not respond to texts or calls from HT....