Probe begins into illegal blood trade(2)

But it was discovered that many parents of children who need regular blood transfusions, because of diseases such as Mediterranean anemia, have bought or tried to buy certificates of proof of blood donation, so that they can be reimbursed the transfusion fees.

According to New Express Daily, there are "brokers" who sell quality copies of these certificates which include information such as the supposed donor's name, blood type and ID number.

Some people have used the forged certificates to receive reimbursements for transfusions despite never donating blood, the report said. 

Fu Yongshui, director of Guangzhou Blood Center, confirmed to New Express Daily on Saturday that a staff member at a local blood collection station issued a fraudulent certificate, but the staff member denied being involved in forging certificates.

Fu said one possible way the certificate was produced, was that someone used a fake driving license with the buyer's information to pass the blood collection station's identity check and donate blood.

Fu told China Daily on Thursday the police investigation is under way and there is no new information yet.

Spokesman Deng said "mutually beneficial donation" is a way to collect blood when there is a shortage. 

"The Ministry of Health will combat the illegal trade of blood together with other departments," Deng said.

Illegal trade involving mutually beneficial blood donation is not new. 

In March 2012, the Haidian district court in Beijing sentenced five brokers to several years in prison. 

The brokers took advantage of blood shortages. 

Patients who needed urgent blood transfusions were told their family members had to donate an equal amount of blood before they could receive their transfusion. The brokers organized people to donate blood pretending to be the patient's family member or friends, and charged the patient afterwards.

"We should push forward with voluntary blood donation. Only an adequate supply of blood can lower the occurrence of mutually beneficial donations, and the risk of the illegal blood trade, and in turn guarantee the safety of blood products," Deng said, calling for more people to join the national donation drive.