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{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
[[Blood donation]]s in India are conducted by organisations and hospitals through blood donation camps. Donors can also visit [[blood banks]] in hospitals to donate blood. Despite the shortage of donated blood, efforts by the government and advocacy groups over the years have helped bridge the gap between demand and supply. The number of voluntary blood donors increased from 54.4% in 2006–2007 to 83.1% in 2011–2012, with the number of blood units increasing from 4.4 million units in 2006–2007 to 9.3 million units in 2012–2013.<ref name="1A">{{cite journal|last1=Marwaha|first1=Neelam|year=2020|title=Voluntary blood donation in India: Achievements, expectations and challenges|journal=Asian Journal of Transfusion Science|volume=9|issue=Suppl 1|pages=S1–S2|doi=10.4103/0973-6247.157011|pmc=4455102|pmid=26097329}}</ref> In 2016, the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]] reported a donation of 10.9 million units against a requirement of 12 million units.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lok Sabha unstarred question no 2282 to be answered on 29th July, 2016|url=http://164.100.47.190/loksabhaquestions/annex/9/AU2282.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Health and Family Welfare|access-date=2017-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010212114/http://164.100.47.190/loksabhaquestions/annex/9/AU2282.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> 12.7 million units were donated in 2020, lower than projected due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/no-blood-bank-in-63-districts-of-india-govt-data/2185999/|title=No blood bank in 63 districts of India: Govt data|date=2021-02-02|work=Financial Express}}</ref> The regulatory framework for blood donation and blood bank management rests with the [[Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation]], while technical bodies like the National Blood Transfusion Council and National AIDS Control Organisation formulate guidelines and recommendations for transfusion medicine and blood bank management.<ref name="8a">{{cite journal| url=https://www.ajts.org/article.asp?issn=0973-6247;year=2021;volume=15;issue=2;spage=204;epage=211;aulast=Mammen| title=A review of legal, regulatory, and policy aspects of blood transfusion services in India: Issues, challenges, and opportunities| journal=Asian Journal of Transfusion Science| date=2021| volume=15| issue=2| page=204-211| vauthors=Mammen JJ, Asirvatham AA, et al| doi=10.4103/ajts.AJTS_65_20}}</ref>

Healthy individuals can donate around 350 millilitres of blood.<ref>{{cite news|title=How many units of blood can a healthy person donate at a time?|first=Rama|last=Bhasin|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/How-many-units-of-blood-can-a-healthy-person-donate-at-a-time-How-long-does-it-take-to-replenish-the-lost-blood/articleshow/586312.cms|date=2004-03-27|access-date=2016-12-10|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref> Donors are provided with refreshments after the procedure, which usually include [[glucose]] drinks, biscuits and fruits. Some organisations offer transportation facilities, as well as certificates or badges as gratitude.<ref name="2A">{{cite web|title=Voluntary blood donation program: an operational guideline|url=http://naco.gov.in/sites/default/files/voluntary%20blood%20donation.pdf|website=NACO|publisher=Ministry of Health, Government of India}}</ref>

==History==
The history of voluntary blood donation in [[India]] dates back to 1942 during the [[second world war]] when blood donors were required to help the wounded soldiers. The first blood bank was established in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]] in March 1942 at the [[All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health]] and was managed by the [[Red Cross]]. The donors were mostly government employees and people from the Anglo-Indian community who donated blood for a humanitarian cause. The number of voluntary donors declined after the war and donors had to be paid for the blood. [[Leela Sumant Moolgaokar|Leela Moolgaonkar]], a social reformer, initiated voluntary blood donation camps in [[Mumbai]] from 1954.<ref name=1A /> The 1960s saw many blood banks open in different cities. In 1975, the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology headed by [[J. G. Jolly]] declared 1 October as the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day.<ref>{{cite journal|pmc=3943136|title=Dr. J. G. Jolly Emeritus Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh |first1=Kshitija |last1=Mittal |first2=Ravneet |last2=Kaur |journal=Asian Journal of Transfusion Science |volume=8 |issue=1 |page=1|date=January–June 2014}}</ref>

The HIV pandemic in the 1980s led to the government setting up the [[National AIDS Control Organisation]](NACO) in 1992 to oversee the policies in preventing the spread of AIDS. Subsequently, the National AIDS Control Programme was launched which led to improvements in patient screening and hygienic transfusion procedures. A [[public interest litigation]] was filed in the Supreme Court in 1996 to abolish the practice of selling blood which became effective on 1 January 1998.<ref name=2A /> Selling or donating blood in exchange for money is illegal under the ''National Blood Transfusion Services Act 2007'' and those found convicted may face a prison sentence of up to three months with fine.<ref>{{cite news|title=Professional blood donors may soon be jailed|first=Kounteya|last=Sinha|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Professional-blood-donors-may-soon-be-jailed/articleshow/2576804.cms|access-date=2016-12-10|date=2007-11-28|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref> A petition was filed in the Supreme Court in March 2021 challenging the blood donation guidelines that prohibits transgenders, members of the gay community and sex workers from donating blood.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-seeks-centre-response-on-barring-transgenders-gay-people-from-donating-blood-101614936356466.html| title=Bar on transgender persons, others from donating blood: SC seeks govt’s response| author=Abraham Thomas| work=Hindustan Times| date=2021-03-05}}</ref>

==Criteria to donate blood==
There are several parameters that determine the eligibility of an individual to donate blood. Guidelines laid down by the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare|Ministry of Health]], [[Government of India]] have to be followed by blood banks for donor screening.<ref name=2A />

Overall health and vital signs:<ref name="3A">{{cite web|title=Donor Guidelines|url=http://indianbloodbank.com/donors-guidelines.html|website=www.indianbloodbank.com|access-date=2016-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120211437/http://indianbloodbank.com/donors-guidelines.html|archive-date=2016-11-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The donor must be fit and healthy, and should not be suffering from transmittable [[diseases]].
* Age and weight- Between 18–65 years old and should weigh a minimum of 50  kg.
* [[Pulse rate]]- Between 50 and 100 without irregularities.
* [[Hemoglobin]] level- A minimum of 12.5 g/dL.
* [[Blood pressure]]- [[Diastolic]]: 50–100 mm Hg, [[Systolic]]: 100–180 mm Hg.
* [[Body temperature]]- Should be normal, with an oral temperature not exceeding 37.5 °C.
* The time period between successive blood donations should be more than 3 months.

Individuals under certain conditions are deemed ineligible to donate blood:<ref name=3A />
* Have been tested [[HIV positive]].
* Suffering from ailments like [[cardiac arrest]], [[hypertension]], blood pressure, [[cancer]], [[epilepsy]], kidney ailments and [[diabetes]].
* Have asthma with active symptoms, and severe asthma patients.
* Had [[Epileptic seizure|fits]], [[tuberculosis]] or [[allergic]] disorders in the past.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
* Consumed alcohol in the past 24 hours.
* Underwent [[immunization]] in the past 1 month.
* Underwent major dental procedures or general surgeries in the past 1 month.
* Have had ear/body [[piercing]] or [[tattoo]] in the past 6 months.
* Treated for [[rabies]] or received [[Hepatitis B vaccine]] in the past 6 months.
* Women who have had [[miscarriage]] in the past 6 months.

==Regulatory mechanisms==
Human blood is covered under the definition of ''drug'' under the [[Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940]]. Blood bank activities are regulated under this act and they are required to obtain timely renewal of the license from [[Drug Controller General of India|Drug Controller General]] for operation and have to comply with the terms presented in the license. It specifies accommodation, manpower, equipment, supplies and reagents, good manufacturing practices, and process control to be followed in Indian blood transfusion services.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Choudhury|first1=Nabajyoti|last2=Desai|first2=Priti|title=Blood bank regulations in India|journal=Clinics in Laboratory Medicine|date=June 2012|volume=32|issue=2|pages=293–299|doi=10.1016/j.cll.2012.04.002|pmid=22727006}}</ref> Dual licensing of blood banks by federal and state regulatory bodies was made mandatory in 1993, with a renewal required every 5 years.<ref name=8a/> [[National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers|NABH]] is the main accreditation body for hospitals and blood banks in the country.<ref>{{cite journal| url=https://www.ajts.org/article.asp?issn=0973-6247;year=2016;volume=10;issue=1;spage=37;epage=41;aulast=Gupta| title=Role of National Accreditation Board of Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) core indicators monitoring in quality and safety of blood transfusion| journal=Asian Journal of Transfusion Science| date=2016| volume=10| issue=1| page=37-41| pmid=27011668| doi=10.4103/0973-6247.175394| pmc=4782491| first1=Anshu| last1=Gupta| first2=Chhavi| last2=Gupta}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.financialexpress.com/strategy/there-is-an-immediate-need-to-improve-services-at-blood-banks/115498/| title=There is an immediate need to improve services at blood banks| work=The Financial Express| date=2015-08-10| author=Lakshmipriya Nair}}</ref>

The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) was formed in 1992 following the outbreak of AIDS. Following public interest litigation, a verdict by the supreme court in the case of ''Common Cause vs. the Union of India'' in January 1992 led to the establishment of the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) at the federal level and State Blood Transfusion Councils (SBTC) for all the states to review the status of blood transfusion services in the country and conduct annual monitoring visits to blood banks.<ref name="6A">{{cite journal|last1=Chandrashekar|first1=Shivaram|last2=Kantharaj|first2=Ambuja|title=Legal and ethical issues in safe blood transfusion|journal=Indian Journal of Anaesthesia|date=2014|volume=58|issue=5|pages=558–564|doi=10.4103/0019-5049.144654|pmid=25535417|pmc=4260301|url=http://www.ijaweb.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5049;year=2014;volume=58;issue=5;spage=558;epage=564;aulast=Chandrashekar}}</ref> While the regulatory authority is entrusted with the task of drug regulation, NACO and NBTC are the main technical bodies that frame guidelines for the practice of transfusion medicine. In 2018, an expert working group of the NBTC proposed recommendations on manpower requirements for blood banks, which outlined the minimum number of staff at blood banks and their qualifications.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2018/UploadPublic_NoticesFiles/PublicNoticeBloodBanks.pdf| title=Inviting suggestions/comments on the recommendations of Expert Working Group constituted by the NBTC on ‘review and recommendations of manpower norms for blood banks’| date=2019-01-10| publisher=CDSCO}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=113377&sid=1| title=Health Ministry to amend D&C Rules to ensure adequate manpower in all licensed blood banks| website=Pharmabiz| author=Arun Sreenivasan| date=2019-01-15}}</ref>

The Government of India in 2002 published the National Blood Policy to reiterate the commitment to safe blood and blood components. It documents the strategies for making available adequate resources, technology, and training for improving transfusion services apart from outlining methods for donor motivation and appropriate clinical use of blood by clinicians. It has also taken steps for research and development in transfusion medicine.<ref name=6A /> There have been recommendations to include blood under the National List of Essential Medicines to control pricing transparency and affordability of blood.<ref name="7A">{{cite journal|vauthors=Jenny HE, Saluja S, Sood R, et al|url=https://gh.bmj.com/content/2/2/bmjgh-2016-000167|title=Access to safe blood in low-income and middle-income countries: lessons from India|journal=BMJ Global Health|year=2017|issue=2|pmid=30206488| doi=10.1136/bmjgh-2016-000167 |pmc=5584485}}</ref> The fragmented nature of organisational types that conduct blood donations, along with advancements in transfusion science and new practices in blood bank management technology have prompted calls from academicians to review and amend the ''Drugs and Cosmetics Act'' from time to time.<ref name=8a/><ref>{{cite journal| title=Need to change present regulatory framework for blood banks in India| journal=Asian Journal of Transfusion Science| first=Nabajyoti| last=Choudhury| doi=10.4103/0973-6247.75962| date=2011| volume=5| issue=1| page=1-2| pmc=3082706}}</ref>

==Organisations==
{{See also|List of blood donation agencies#India}}

India has government-funded and private blood donation organisations. Some major organisations operate in many regions throughout the country while others are regional and operate with local support. Along with conducting blood donation camps, they also raise awareness on voluntary blood donation and public health. Most organisations maintain online portals or physical registry where donors can enter their details and receive updates when blood donation drives are conducted; this also facilitates a network between blood donors and organisations/hospitals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=122497|title=National Aids Control Organization (NACO) observe “World Blood Donors Day”|date=2015-06-14|publisher=Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI}}</ref> Apart from such organisations, major hospitals in the country have their own blood banks where blood donation is conducted within the facility. As of 2015, there were 2.2 blood banks per million population in the country.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://naco.gov.in/sites/default/files/Assessment%20of%20Blood%20Banks%20in%20India%20-%202016.pdf| title=Assessment of Blood Banks in India - 2016| publisher=NACO| date=| page=15| access-date=2021-11-16}}</ref> As per a 2016 study, around 51% of the 2493 blood banks surveyed across the country had component separation facility.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12288-021-01399-9| title=Assessment of Performance of Blood Banks in India: A National Level Cross Sectional Study| date=2021-01-24| journal=Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion| volume=37| page=640–647| vauthors=Asirvatham ES, Mammen JJ, Lakshman J, et al| pmc=8523628| doi=10.1007/s12288-021-01399-9}}</ref>

==Issues in blood donation==
Despite a huge population, the demand-supply gap for blood units persists in many healthcare facilities in the country. According to a 2012 report by the World Health Organisation, only 9 million blood units are available annually, whereas the demand is 12 million units.<ref>{{cite news|title=India facing a blood shortage of 3 million units|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/India-facing-a-blood-shortage-of-3-million-units/articleshow/36492006.cms|access-date=2014-06-16|newspaper=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822193538/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/India-facing-a-blood-shortage-of-3-million-units/articleshow/36492006.cms|archive-date=2015-08-22|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Blood banks===
A study conducted between 2009 and 2013 concluded a high rate of non-compliance on the part of blood banks on the quality and safety of transfusion services.<ref>{{cite journal| last1=Agarwal| first1=RK| last2=Dhanya| first2=R| last3=Parmar |first3=LG| last4=Vaish |first4=A |last5=Sedai| first5=A| last6=Periyavan |first6=S| title=A study of the noncompliance of blood banks on safety and quality parameters in blood donation camps in Bengaluru| journal=Asian Journal of Transfusion Science| date=2015| volume=9| issue=1| pages=23–28| doi=10.4103/0973-6247.150942| pmid=25722568| pmc=4339926}}</ref> Cases of transmission of infective diseases like [[AIDS]] due to substandard medical facilities and practices in blood banks continue to be relatively high. <ref>{{cite web|first=Sumitra|last=Debroy|title=Blood transfusions infected 1,342 with HIV in 2018-19, says NACO |url=https://m.timesofindia.com/india/blood-transfusions-infected-1342-with-hiv-in-2018-19-says-naco/articleshow/69732831.cms| date=2019-06-11|work=The Times of India}}</ref> The ''National Blood Policy'' outlines the requirement for primary healthcare centres to have 24/7 service for blood transfusion, but over 80% of them lack blood storage facility.<ref>{{cite journal| url=https://www.gjtmonline.com/article.asp?issn=2468-8398;year=2016;volume=1;issue=2;spage=72;epage=74;aulast=Bhatia| title=Current status of blood banks in India| first1=V| last1=Bhatia| first2=B| last2=Raghuwanshi| first3=J| last3=Sahoo| journal=Glob J Transfus Med| date=2016| issue=1| page=72-74| doi=10.4103/2455-8893.189847}}</ref> With the sector being largely unorganized and fragmented, and lack of communication between hospitals with no real-time centralized data on availability of blood units between them, there have been instances of shortage of blood at hospitals being a major factor in deaths caused by time-critical events such as accidents.<ref>{{cite journal| first=A| last=Gupta| title=The status of blood banking in India| journal=Health Millions| date=Mar-Apr 2000| volume=26| issue=2| page=35-38| PMID=12349668}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/blood-transfusion-service-in-india-continues-to-be-unorganized-and-fragmented-suryaprabha-sadasivan/69780706| title=Blood transfusion service in India continues to be unorganized and fragmented| author=Suryaprabha Sadasivan| date=2019-06-14| work=The Economic Times}}</ref>

===Donors===
Disparities in access of donors in regions have led to wastage of blood stock in some parts of the country, while at the same time creating a shortage of blood in some other parts.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Grocchetti|first1=Silvio|title=Acute shortage: Why India needs 35 tankers of blood|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/health-and-fitness/acute-shortage-why-india-needs-35-tankers-of-blood/story-N2yE8lIKOY1D15ZywImH1J.html|access-date=2017-11-11|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=2016-09-03}}</ref> Voluntary blood donation comprises about 70% of the blood demand, with the rest coming from replacement donors, whereas 62 nations in the world fulfill their blood demands through voluntary donations.<ref>{{cite news|first=R.|last=Prasad|title=Voluntary donation, safe blood|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Voluntary-donation-safe-blood/article14420486.ece|access-date=2016-12-10|date=2016-06-14|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=World Blood Donor Day 2016: Blood connects us all|url=https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day/2016/en/|archive-url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20160612004003/http://www.who.int/campaigns/world%2Dblood%2Ddonor%2Dday/2016/en/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2016|publisher=World Health Organization}}</ref> A 2011 study reported that a mere 6% of women donated blood, mostly due to physiological problems and low hemoglobin count.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ankita|last=Chakrabarty|title=India faces huge blood donation deficit|url=http://zeenews.india.com/exclusive/-india-faces-huge-blood-donation-deficit_5581.html|access-date=2016-12-10|date=2012-06-14|publisher=Zee News}}</ref> Anaemia is also reported as a major cause of deferral in blood donation, accounting for up to 77.9% of female and up to 37% of male deferrals.<ref name="7A" /> Other hurdles in increasing voluntary blood donation include the fear of pain and weakness after the procedure, and illiteracy.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Aggarwal|first1=Sourabh|last2=Sharma|first2=Vishal|title=Attitudes and problems related to voluntary blood donation in India: A short communication|journal=Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health|date=2012-02-13|volume=5|issue=1|pages=50–52|url=http://www.atmph.org/article.asp?issn=1755-6783;year=2012;volume=5;issue=1;spage=50;epage=52;aulast=Aggarwal}}</ref>

=== Other Issues ===
Documented instances of [[Organ theft|forced blood extraction]] have occurred in India, among other countries, owing to its disproportionate ratio of available supply of blood and high poverty rate. One such ring gained national attention in 2008 when an emaciated man escaped from his captors near the city of [[Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh|Gorakhpur]], in [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Gang-of-blood-suppliers-unearthed-in-Gorakhpur/articleshow/2870623.cms|title=Gang of blood suppliers unearthed in Gorakhpur|date=2008-03-16|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2017-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/06/red-market-excerpt/|title=Book Excerpt: Exposing India's Blood Farmers|last=Carney|first=Scott|date=2011-06-06|newspaper=[[WIRED]]|access-date=2017-02-08|language=en-US}}</ref> Blood donations reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to restrictions on travel and fear of contracting the disease at healthcare centres.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/voxs.12563 |title=Covid-19 pandemic- response to challenges by blood transfusion services in India: a review report |date=2020-05-03| doi=10.1111/voxs.12563 |journal=Vox Sanguinis |volume=15 |issue=4 |page=365-373 |first1=Y |last1=Dhiman |first2=GK |last2=Patidar |first3=S |last3=Arora}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Potential challenges faced by blood bank services during COVID-19 pandemic and their mitigative measures: The Indian scenario| journal=Transfusion and Apheresis Science| first1=PJ| last1=Arcot| first2=K| last2=Kumar| first3=T| last3=Mukhopadhyay| first4=A| last4=Subramanian| volume=59| issue=5| date=October 2020| doi=10.1016/j.transci.2020.102877| pmc=7365118}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/world-blood-donor-day-2021-why-there-is-a-dip-in-blood-donation-due-to-covid-19/2270829/| title=
World Blood Donor Day 2021: Why there is a dip in blood donation due to Covid-19| date=2021-06-14| work=Financial Express}}</ref>
[[File: Civilian and Indian Navy personnel donating blood at a Blood Donation Camp in New Delhi (1).JPG|thumb|Blood donation camp in New Delhi]]

==Initiatives to encourage blood donation==
1 October is celebrated as the national voluntary blood donation day.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Voluntary Blood Donation Day|url=http://www.indianredcross.org/sg-message-27-sep-2013.htm|website=www.indianredcross.org}}</ref> Blood donation agencies often organize workshops to educate people about the benefits of donating blood.<ref>{{cite news|title=Over 300 join in blood donation awareness program in Delhi|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Over-300-join-in-blood-donation-awareness-programme-in-Delhi/articleshow/52749509.cms|access-date=2016-06-14|newspaper=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927173315/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Over-300-join-in-blood-donation-awareness-programme-in-Delhi/articleshow/52749509.cms|archive-date=2016-09-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> With a huge population of youth, blood donation drives are conducted by hospitals and organisations at college campuses.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maharaja's College students hold blood donation camp|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/Maharaja%E2%80%99s-College-students-hold-blood-donation-camp/article15471681.ece|access-date=2016-12-10|date=2016-10-06|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Stanley|last=Pinto|title=HDFC Bank's 'Blood Donation Drive' on December 5|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/HDFC-Banks-Blood-Donation-Drive-on-December-5/articleshow/45339330.cms|access-date=2016-12-10|date=2014-12-01|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref> Blood donors and their family members are often given priority in case of emergency or accidents. 32 mobile blood banks were introduced in 2010 to facilitate donation in remote regions.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://naco.gov.in/access-safe-blood| title=Access to Safe blood| publisher=NACO}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| url=https://www.ajts.org/article.asp?issn=0973-6247;year=2016;volume=10;issue=1;spage=59;epage=62;aulast=Sachdev| title=First report of the impact on voluntary blood donation by the blood mobile from India| journal=Asian Journal of Transfusion Science| date=Jan-Jun 2016| volume=10| issue=1| page=59–62| pmid=27011672| doi=10.4103/0973-6247.164274| pmc=4782496| vauthors=Sachdev S, Singh L, et al.}}</ref> In 2016, the government launched an initiative called ''E-''{{lang|hi|RaktKosh}} (''Rakt'': blood, ''Kosh'': repository), a web-based mechanism that integrates all blood banks in the state into a single network, providing information about blood camps and the availability of blood in hospitals throughout the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=Now, a website for blood banks; 117 banks listed|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/now-a-website-for-blood-banks-117-banks-listed/articleshow/60031902.cms|access-date=2017-11-11|work=The Economic Times|via=The Times of India|date=2017-08-12}}</ref> A mobile application for the ''E-''{{lang|hi|RaktKosh}} portal was launched in 2020 to improve accessibility.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/harsh-vardhan-launches-mobile-app-to-enable-people-have-easy-access-to-blood-6476271/|title=Harsh Vardhan launches mobile app to enable people have easy access to blood|date=2020-06-25|work=The Indian Express}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of blood donation agencies]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Marwaha N.,[https://www.ajts.org/article.asp?issn=0973-6247;year=2014;volume=8;issue=3;spage=3;epage=5;aulast=Marwaha Transfusion medicine in India: Expanding horizons], ''Asian J Transfus Sci'' 2014;8, Suppl S1:3-5.
* T. J. Bray, K. Prabhakar, [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-3156.2002.00895.x Editorial: Blood policy and transfusion practice – India], ''Trop Med Int Health.'' 2002 Jun;7(6):477-8.

==External links==
* [http://naco.gov.in/national-blood-transfusion-council-nbtc-0 National Blood Transfusion Council]
* [http://naco.gov.in/sites/default/files/Standards%20for%20Blood%20Banks%20and%20Blood%20Transfusion%20Services.pdf Standards for Blood Banks and Blood Transfusion Services]
{{portalbar|India|Medicine}}

[[Category:Blood donation]]
[[Category: Healthcare in India]]
[[Category: Blood banks in India]]

Blood donation in India - Revision history

UpdateBot at 12:49, 18 April 2022