Lok Sabha Question No. 1213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Shortage of Blood
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUE STION NO. 1213

## TO BE ANSWERED ON   22ND  DECEMBER, 2017

## SHORTAGE OF BLOOD

## 1213. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India faces shortfall of about 30 lakh units of blood annually and if so, thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to address the issue;
- (b) whether it is a fact that in the last five years over 28 lakh units of blood and its componen were discarded by blood banks across India;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether it  is  also  true  that  this  reveals  serious  loopholes  in  the  nations'  blood  banking system; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and corrective measures taken by the Government in this reg

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAM ILY WELFARE ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

(a) : No.

- (b) & (c) : The following numbers of units of blood and its components were discarded in t last three years.

|      |                         | No. of Units   | No. of Units   | No. of Units   |
|------|-------------------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
| S.No | Details                 | 2014- 15       | 2015- 16       | 2016- 17       |
| 1    | Whole Blood             | 209,378        | 212,689        | 150,567        |
| 2    | Packed Cells            | 132,211        | 195,230        | 174,848        |
| 3    | Platelet Concentrate    | 388,055        | 488,155        | 524,378        |
| 4    | Plasma (FFP and Liquid) | 289,451        | 381,584        | 332,061        |
|      | Total                   | 1,019,095      | 1,277,658      | 1,181,854      |

Contd……….

The reasons for discard of blood and blood components are as follows: -

- i) Reactivity for infections ( Malaria, Syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C)

ii) Expiry due to outdating, especially for platelets which have a short shelf life of o iii) Deterioration during storage in the form of discoloration, haemolysis, contamination.

iv) Not meeting quality parameters after collection and production v) Non - completion of blood collection in requisite quantities due to donor reactions.

(d)& (e) : Though the nation does not have a National Blood Transfusion Service, since Pub Health is a State subject, State Blood Transfusion Councils are set up in every State monitor proper functioning of Blood Transfusion Services in addit ion to regulatory control of Central  Drugs  Standards  Control  Organization  and  State  Food  and  Drug  Authority  as  p provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945.

However,  in  order  to  check  undue  discard  of  blood/blood  components,  the  followi steps are ta ken: -

(i)  All licensed blood banks are asked to collect whole blood and prepare components their requirement and utilization capacity and the same is monitored by State Food and Authority.

(ii) Organizations conducting large blood donation camps with collection of greater than 500 units in one day or involving more than one State are to seek permission from resp State Blood Transfusion Council or National Blood Transfusion Council for deputation adequate teams from licensed blood b anks to avoid wastage due to over collection.

(iii)  Extant  rules  permit  transfer  of  blood  and  blood  components  between  licensed banks to optimize the utilization and iron out the surplus/shortage.

(iv) States have been asked to send surplus plasm a available with licensed blood banks for plasma fractionation to avoid wastage

(v  )Under  E - Rakt  Kosh  application,  blood  banks  have  been  asked  to  share  status  o availability of blood and component units online for easy access by general public to wastage.

………………

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