China's Blood Donation Black Market Chain: Intermediaries Speculate on "Blood Donation Certificates" for Profit

China's "Blood Donation Law" and related regulations grant unpaid blood donors priority access to blood in medical situations. The "blood donation certificate," proving a history of donation, has become a tool for intermediaries to resell for profit, with prices reaching up to RMB 2,000 (approximately NT$9,200). Unpaid blood donation has become a black industry chain. "Notice on Further Improving Incentive and Reward Work for Unpaid Blood Donors" states that under the premise of ensuring blood supply for key populations such as critically ill patients and pregnant women, non-emergency patients with similar medical conditions will receive priority blood use. In other words, those who have donated blood and their relatives have priority use of blood compared to other patients with similar medical conditions. The original intention of relevant laws and notices was to encourage public blood donation and establish a concept of social mutual aid, but it has become a tool for intermediaries to resell for profit. Chinese media has revealed that uninformed migrant workers from other regions are becoming "part-time" blood donors, hospital physicians are "unaware" of the verification status of blood donation certificates, and anxious family members are forced to become violators, while intermediaries profit from it. Shangyou News reported that advertisements such as "Tomorrow I will go to the central blood station to donate 400CC, nutritional subsidy 400 yuan" can often be seen on social media. Many accompanying family members in hospitals also have experience of receiving "love blood mutual aid" contact cards, which advertise that any blood type can be found. Shangyou News reporters contacted a woman who claimed to be able to provide blood donation certificates and quoted a price of RMB 2,000. She stated that if multiple certificates were needed, arrangements must be made in advance, and someone would be found to donate blood at the blood station to obtain them, but she refused to meet in person. Two hours after paying a deposit, the other party provided a blood donation certificate, which was verified as genuine. A broker named Yang admitted to Shangyou News that by paying RMB 400 to 600, he could find migrant workers from other regions to donate 400 ml of blood in Shanghai and then resell the certificates. Some people who did not meet the conditions for blood donation took medication first and found familiar doctors, slipping RMB 200 when filling out forms, "doctors know what to do when they see it." A doctor working in a tertiary hospital said that when patients need blood, their families need to pay for collection, storage, separation, and testing fees. If they have a blood donation certificate, these fees can be reduced. More importantly, those who have donated blood and their relatives have priority use of blood compared to other patients with similar medical conditions, which is the main reason for the black market. This doctor said that generally, doctors ask patients' families or friends to donate blood based on surgical blood needs, or blood donation certificates can be provided. In case of emergency blood use, relevant fees and deposits are required upfront and refunded after surgery with proof of certificate. In daily operations, hospitals do not verify the relationship between the blood donation certificate and the patient, as long as "the amount of blood used is returned." A patient's family member who had previously purchased a blood donation certificate mentioned that finding relatives or friends to donate blood is troublesome and creates indebtedness. Even if they agree, their physical condition may not meet the donation criteria. Paying for a blood donation certificate is more convenient. Even though they knew it was illegal, it was the fastest way in a situation where a loved one urgently needed blood. Shangyou News reported that several involved hospitals stated "not allowed," but failed to verify the source of the blood donation certificates. Blood station staff said that as long as the donor meets the conditions, they can donate blood. The reporter has provided relevant clues and evidence to the relevant departments, and investigations are underway. (Editor: Chen Kai-yu) 1150418