Question : EXPIRY OF BLOOD

(a) whether the Government has taken note of expiry of substantial quantity of blood in various blood banks including those at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto, State/ UT-wise;

(c) the steps taken/proposed by the Government to streamline blood collection, storage and optimum utilisation through sharing of blood nearing expiry;

(d) whether smuggling/supply of blood through illegal means from certain blood banks under the Red Cross Society have been reported in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken/proposed by the Government?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) & (b): No report has been received from the states about the expiry of substantial quantity of blood in various blood banks including those at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the country.

(c ): Blood Banks share the surplus blood with the other blood banks before the expiry.

(d): No such information has been received from the Indian Red Cross Society.

(e): Does not arise