Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUN 2 (NPN): The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has directed the State government to ensure that every district in Nagaland has at least one blood bank or blood storage centre, observing that the “availability of blood to persons in need is a facet of the right to life” guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Rangro Herie and Kikrukhonuo Pfukha, the Division Bench of Justice Devashis Baruah and Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer, in a judgment delivered on May 27, underscored the need to strengthen blood transfusion infrastructure across the state and improve access to life-saving blood services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
The petition highlighted the shortage of blood banks, blood storage centres and trained specialists in transfusion medicine, especially in eastern Nagaland, and raised concerns over the uneven distribution of blood transfusion facilities across the state.
The court observed that access to blood and blood transfusion services constituted a basic healthcare necessity and noted that Nagaland’s difficult terrain and connectivity challenges made district-level blood facilities essential. It observed that timely access to blood could mean the difference between life and death in emergency situations.
The court recorded that six licensed blood banks are currently operational at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, District Hospital Dimapur, Dr. Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital Mokokchung, Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Dimapur, 154 Army General Hospital Jakhama and 165 Army Hospital Rangapahar.
It also noted that blood banks have been established in Mon, Kiphire, Tuensang and Phek districts. In addition, six blood storage centres are functioning at Community Health Centre Jalukie in Peren district, Community Health Centre Medziphema in Chümoukedima district, District Hospital Mon, District Hospital Wokha, District Hospital Kiphire and Hezukhu Memorial District Hospital, Zunheboto. The court further noted that blood component separation units are available only at NHAK Kohima and District Hospital Dimapur.
During the proceedings, principal director of Health & Family Welfare submitted a detailed roadmap aimed at addressing the deficiencies identified in the PIL. The roadmap envisages establishment of blood storage centres in all district hospitals and first referral units lacking such facilities, along with comprehensive assessment of infrastructure, manpower, training, equipment and logistical requirements.
The roadmap also proposed deployment of specialists in pathology and transfusion medicine in blood banks and transfusion centres. In areas where specialists are unavailable, MBBS doctors with at least one year of blood bank experience would be posted to ensure continuity of services.
It further called for strengthening manpower through deployment of laboratory technicians, staff nurses, data entry operators and support staff in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards.
The state government also proposed regular training and capacity-building programmes for medical officers and laboratory personnel, compliance with licensing requirements under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, strengthening of existing blood banks and blood component separation units, establishment of additional
blood banks in high-demand districts, infrastructure upgrades and creation of post-MBBS diploma courses in pathology through the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
While noting that health is primarily a State subject, the court observed that the Union government plays an important role in providing financial and technical support through the National Health Mission and other schemes. The bench recorded that central assistance had already supported establishment of blood banks in Mon, Kiphire, Tuensang and Phek districts.
Accordingly, the court directed the Union government to continue extending financial assistance, technical expertise and monitoring support for development of blood transfusion services in Nagaland.
Directing the State government to implement the roadmap submitted before it, the bench ordered that every district in Nagaland should have access to at least one blood bank or blood storage centre and called for an increase in the number of specialists trained in blood transfusion services.
The court further directed the commissioner & secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland, to submit an affidavit of compliance along with an action taken report by January 19, 2027.
While disposing of the PIL, the bench clarified that the petitioners or any public-spirited citizen would be free to approach the court again if the roadmap was not implemented or if citizens continued to suffer due to the lack of blood transfusion facilities and trained personnel.
Emphasising the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure, the court stressed the need for coordinated efforts by both the State and Union governments to ensure equitable access to blood transfusion services across Nagaland.