Kabul Residents Allege Corruption and Abuse in Blood Banks Since Taliban Takeover

Kabul residents have reported corruption and personal abuses in the city's blood banks following the Taliban's return to power, claiming that blood is often withheld from patients and sold on the black market.

Residents told Hasht-e Subh that blood banks frequently fail to provide blood to those in need, even when available, forcing families to turn to social media groups, WhatsApp, Facebook pages, relatives, or public announcements for donors. Long queues form outside the Central Blood Bank, where people wait hours without success. They allege that officials demand payment or favoritism, and rare blood types are particularly hard to obtain despite donations.

Salahuddin, a Kabul resident, said he waited in line multiple times at the Central Blood Bank but received no blood unless paying or having connections. He recounted taking his aunt to Republic Hospital, where doctors claimed no blood was available, forcing the family to buy 300 to 500 cc of red blood cells multiple times to process into white blood cells for transfusion, at high cost.

Sardar, another resident and medical professional, described difficulties obtaining ORH-negative blood for his son at the French Hospital, despite stocks existing. Sultan said three weeks ago, his father needed blood for prostate surgery but banks claimed none was available, requiring calls to relatives for a matching donor.

Gulab claimed the blood distribution system has turned into favoritism under the Taliban, with limited equipment inaccessible to ordinary people from remote areas, and low public awareness exacerbating issues. Banks prioritize specific individuals or projects, he said. Sajjad added that banks often refuse distribution, citing mismatches, compelling external sourcing.

Residents warn that ongoing issues endanger patients' lives and call for awareness on blood donation and hospital rights.