Synopsis
On February 5, Union Minister Anupriya Patel announced India's significant advancements in blood transfusion services, highlighting the government's commitment to ensuring safe and accessible blood for patients across the nation.Key Takeaways
- India has strengthened blood transfusion services.
- Mandatory testing for five TTIs is enforced.
- Community-based approaches have been adopted.
- Expansion of NAT testing facilities is underway.
- Mobile blood collection services enhance donor accessibility.
New Delhi, Feb 5 (NationPress) India has made remarkable advancements in enhancing its blood transfusion services, ensuring both safety and availability, stated Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, during a session in Parliament.
In response to a query raised by Rajya Sabha member Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade regarding blood banks and human safety on February 4, Patel emphasized that the nation has established a multi-tiered system to guarantee safe and efficient blood transfusion services.
“India has made significant progress in fortifying its blood transfusion services, making safer and more accessible blood available for patients across the country. This advancement underscores the government's steadfast commitment to this essential healthcare sector,” the Minister of State remarked.
“India has laid out a robust framework for blood transfusion services, with a comprehensive system aimed at ensuring the secure and efficient management of blood transfusion services nationwide,” Patel continued.
Initiatives include mandatory testing for five transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs), an expansion of Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT), the establishment of proposed capital blood centers, the enhancement of the National External Quality Assessment (EQA) program, and a shift towards a community-centric approach.
Patel noted that the government has implemented a total ban on professional blood donations, and every unit of collected blood is subject to obligatory testing for five TTIs — HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, and Malaria.
Moreover, to bolster the detection of blood-borne infections and heighten blood safety, the government has broadened NAT capabilities at key national and state institutions. NAT technology is vital for identifying infections in donated blood, which is essential for mitigating risks associated with the five TTIs.
“Almost half of Indian states now host at least one government facility equipped with NAT testing,” Patel stated.
“Additionally, the government has suggested the creation of advanced capital blood centers in every state, featuring cutting-edge facilities (including NAT, molecular labs, HLA labs, etc.) to centralize and modernize blood banking infrastructure in a systematic manner,” she added.
Meanwhile, the EQA program is being expanded across all states and union territories to uphold rigorous standards in blood transfusion practices. These EQA centers will also incorporate NAT testing facilities, Patel mentioned.
To facilitate and encourage blood donations, the government has introduced mobile blood collection buses that reach donors directly. This initiative has enhanced community engagement and contributed to an increase in voluntary blood donations.
Blood transfusion services are increasingly being integrated into overall patient care, ensuring that transfusions are administered suitably and effectively as part of a holistic treatment strategy, Patel concluded.
