All blood banks must go online under new govt rule

New Delhi | Desk: In emergencies, arranging for 'rare' blood groups often proves to be a monumental task for family members; however, thanks to new stringent measures introduced by the government, this process is set to become much easier. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has made it mandatory for all licensed blood banks across the country to register on the 'e-Raktkosh' portal and to update their stock information on a daily basis.

Through this portal, it will now be possible, with just a single click, to determine which blood groups are available at any specific hospital or blood bank. This will not only save precious time for patients but will also facilitate the creation of a digital directory of donors with rare blood groups, which is expected to prove life-saving during times of need.

The government adopted this firm stance following numerous complaints wherein patients were forced to wander from place to place in search of blood due to the lack of accurate information regarding its availability.

According to the new regulations, every blood bank is now required to provide a comprehensive account of its stock, donor identities, and available blood components on the online portal.

This initiative will connect blood banks across the entire country into a unified network, enabling an individual in any city to quickly identify the nearest location where they can obtain the required blood.

The Ministry of Health has clarified that strict action will be taken against any blood banks that fail to update their information on the portal; furthermore, compliance in this regard will be subject to verification during future inspections. This system is expected to not only enhance transparency but also reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections by ensuring safer blood donation practices.

You can search for blood by visiting this link: https://eraktkosh.mohfw.gov.in/eraktkoshPortal/#/