Question : Blood Banks

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

(a) the number of blood banks functioning in the country, State/ UT-wise;

(b) whether blood bank facilities are not available in various districts in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has formulated any blood bank policy stipulating setting up at least one blood bank in every district in the country in the near future; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the names of the districts under consideration for setting up blood banks?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): There are 3263 licensed blood banks in the country. State/ UT-wise details, as per information obtained from Central Drugs Standards Control Organization, is given in Annexure.

(b): There are 71 districts in the country without blood banks and the details thereof are given in Annexure – II. Given the fact that due to various administrative reasons, State Governments carve out new districts periodically, need for blood of such districts continues to be catered through licensed blood banks in nearby districts and through blood storage centres set up in First Referral Units at Community Health Centres and select 24 hour Primary Health Centres.

(c): Yes

(d): Public Health being a State subject, setting up of blood banks comes under purview of States. However, Government of India supports set up of blood banks under National Health Mission as per proposals received.