The Health Ministry has set a target to establish at least one blood centre in every district by December 2026, addressing gaps as nearly 10 per cent of districts currently lack such facilities. A national-level review highlighted shortcomings in licensing compliance, voluntary blood donation rates, referral of transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) reactive donors, and digital integration, with many centres yet to be onboarded on platforms like eRaktKosh and BBMS.
Officials emphasized the importance of strengthening district-level ownership, enforcing standard operating procedures, and scaling up voluntary blood donation through outreach campaigns. Encouraging practices were noted in several states, including high voluntary donation and strong testing proficiency. The ministry underscored that ensuring safe blood access, zero TTI transmission, and real-time monitoring remain key priorities, with structured actions planned to close systemic gaps and improve India’s blood transfusion services.