Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has amended the guidelines for organising voluntary blood donation camps to significantly increase the role of state-run blood centres. As per a circular issued by the Medical and Health Department, government blood centres will now collect 50 per cent of the blood in all voluntary blood donation camps held across the state, up from the earlier limit of 20 per cent.
The decision aims to strengthen the system of safe and quality blood collection and improve overall blood availability in the state.
Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, Smt. Gayatri Rathore said the revised arrangement will reduce the need for blood replacement donations and make the blood supply more robust. “This will help ensure timely availability of blood for patients during emergencies and spare their families the unnecessary hardship of arranging replacement units,” she stated.
Under the new guidelines, government blood centres will deploy their own medical teams equipped with necessary medicines and equipment to the camps. The entire collection process will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
A special provision has been made for camps organised more than 200 kilometres away. In such cases, blood will be collected only in single blood bags. This measure has been introduced to maintain the quality of collected blood and ensure its safe transportation.
Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Control, Dr. T. Shubhamangala informed that directions have been issued to the medical officers in-charge of all blood centres in the state to ensure strict compliance. Principals of government medical colleges and Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) have also been instructed to ensure that government blood centre teams reach the camps organised in their respective areas and collect 50 per cent of the blood.
Dr. Shubhamangala added that any negligence in implementing the new system or failure to make blood available to patients when required would invite accountability. Action would be taken against the concerned blood centre as per rules.
The department believes the enhanced participation of government blood centres will improve the quality and monitoring of blood collection while helping ensure a steady supply of safe blood across Rajasthan.
Source : DIPR, Rajasthan
