Question : SHORTAGE OF BLOOD

(a) whether the country is reportedly facing shortage of blood and blood components, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) the estimated blood requirement and collection from various sources in the country during each of the last three years, blood group and State/UT-wise;

(c) whether instances of non-compliance of blood safety guidelines have been reported in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government thereon during the said period, Si:ate/UTwise;

(d) whether the Government proposes to promote development and production of artificial blood/blood substitute to meet the blood shortage and if so, the details thereof along with the progress made in this regard; and

(e) the other measures being taken by the Government to increase the availability of blood and ensure its safe collection, storage and transfusion in the country?

THE MINISTER OF HE ALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 443 FOR 24 APRIL, 2015

(a) The estimated requirement of blood in the country is about 12 million units based on the WHO norms of 1% of the total population. As against this, the total collection in the country is about 10 million units. No reports of shortage of blood or its components have been received. It is, however, admitted that the goal of ensuring safe blood at all places within reasonable time is a challenge.

(b) The State/UT wise estimated blood requirement and collection from various sources in the country during last three years is at Annexure. Blood Group wise information is not maintained at the national level.

(c) As per reports received from the States, only one case regarding irregular sale of blood has been reported from GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. An FIR under Sections 420/263, 270 and 467/468/471 IPC and 18/27 Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1945 has been registered at Swaroop Nagar Police Station. 13 people have been arrested and the chargesheet has been presented in the court. All the blood bank staff have been transferred and services of one lab technician and an attendant have been terminated.

(d) No. In view of the reply to part (a) above, question does notarise.

(e) Enhanced availability of blood is achieved through promotion of voluntary non remunerative blood donation in partnership with NGOs/Voluntary organizations. TEC activities are done to increase awareness for voluntary blood donation. Coordination and networking of blood transfusion services is also done to optimally , utilize the collected blood. Camp guidelines have been issued for safe blood collection at camp sites. In addition, mobile blood buses and blood transport vehicles have been provided across many States to improve voluntary blood donation and safe blood collection.

Storage facil ities for storage of blood and its components under ambient conditions have been established in the country Equipment for processing of collected blood and its storage have been provided across the States in the country. Blood bank staff is trained in use of such equipment.

Training of the blood bank personnel and clinicians on rational blood use helps in improving transfusion services. Training modules have been finalized lor the proper and safe transfusion of blood components. Blood transport vehicles have been provided to States to supply safe blood, for transfusion, from regional blood centres to blood storage centers.