India, Oct. 15 -- 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-Bhabha Municipal hospital in Bandra, Rajawadi hospital in Ghatkopar, and Shatabdi hospital in Kandivali, to PPP units. The project also aims to start three new blood banks at the Bhabha civic hospital in Kurla, MT Agrawal hospital in Mulund, and the Bhagwati hospital in Borivli.

Activists have highl...