(a) whether the Government have failed to meet the shortage of blood;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) the annual existing demand of blood in the country and the units of blood being collected through voluntary blood donors;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor;
(e) whether despite of Supreme Court orders, the Government failed to fix the fees to be charged for blood so far; and
(f) if so, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) & (b) No, Sir. There is no overall shortage of blood in the country. However, there are occasional and seasonal shortages in a few blood banks.
(c) & (d) The demand of blood in the country is estimated to be 49 lakh units per annum against which about 45% of blood is collected through voluntary blood donations and the rest is collected through replacement donations.
(e) No, Sir. The Government have already issued guidelines for collection of service charges for processing of blood for mandatory tests before its issue.
(f) Does not arise.