Urgent Reforms Needed for Blood Transfusion Safety in India

A recent position paper by the Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms in India's blood transfusion practices. Health experts stress the importance of safe and equitable access to blood, particularly for thalassemia patients who rely on regular transfusions. The paper outlines significant risks due to inadequate screening and regulatory gaps, calling for proactive measures to enhance blood safety. Recommendations include mandatory Nucleic Acid Testing across blood banks and the establishment of a comprehensive Blood Safety Act. This initiative aims to protect vulnerable populations and ensure patient rights are prioritized in healthcare governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 15, 2026, 16:36 IST

Call for Systemic Changes in Blood Transfusion Practices

New Delhi, Jan 15: A group of health professionals and advocates emphasized the critical need for immediate reforms to enhance the safety of patients reliant on blood transfusions during a meeting on Wednesday.

The Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG) introduced a new position paper highlighting the necessity for safe, timely, and equitable access to blood, labeling it a vital issue concerning survival, dignity, and constitutional obligations.

According to the experts, including Prof. N.K. Ganguly, former Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and others, individuals with thalassemia who depend on regular blood transfusions face significant risks due to inadequate screening protocols, inconsistent access to advanced diagnostic tools, and fragmented regulations. These issues can lead to serious health threats, including transfusion-transmitted infections like HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

The paper underscores blood safety as a crucial element of India's healthcare system that requires proactive measures rather than reactive responses.

It integrates patient experiences, scientific data, legal insights, and public health knowledge into a cohesive, action-driven strategy aimed at enhancing the blood safety framework in India, particularly for those with thalassemia.

Through discussions with policymakers, healthcare providers, scientists, legal professionals, and patient advocates, the paper identifies ongoing systemic issues, such as the inconsistent implementation of Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) in blood banks, the lack of a unified national blood law, and unequal access to safe blood in rural and underserved areas.

These deficiencies collectively erode patient trust and expose at-risk populations to unnecessary dangers.

“Our position paper urges that patient welfare be prioritized in policy-making, advocating for blood safety to be a central focus in healthcare governance and ensuring that preventable risks are addressed through scientific, legal, and accountable measures,” stated Deepak Chopra, Mentor of TPAG.

The recommendations include making Nucleic Acid Testing mandatory across all blood banks to reduce window-period infections, establishing a comprehensive Blood Safety Act to define patient rights and institutional duties, and initiating a National Thalassemia Control Programme to unify prevention, screening, and long-term care efforts.