Thalassemia patient groups hail introduction of National Blood Transfusion Bill in Parliament
New Delhi, Dec 12
Thalassemia patients on Friday hailed the introduction of the National Blood Transfusion Bill in Parliament and urged members to pass the life-saving bill at the earliest.
Earlier this month, during the Winter session of the Parliament, the National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025, was proposed by MP Parshottambhai Rupala in Lok Sabha and by Dr Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade in Rajya Sabha.
The Bill aims to regulate the collection, testing, processing, storage, distribution, issuance, and transfusion of human blood and blood components, to ensure health protection and prevention of transfusion-transmissible diseases. It also calls for establishing national standards for safe blood collection, transfusion, and management and imposing penalties for non-compliance and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The main objective is to establish a National Blood Transfusion Authority with statutory powers to prescribe national standards for blood collection, processing, storage, and transfusion.
“For India’s thalassaemia community, which depends on safe, uninterrupted, and quality-assured blood transfusions for survival, this legislation marks a historic and long-awaited step forward,†said the Thalassaemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG).
“It reflects a coherent and serious parliamentary commitment to reforming one of India’s most under-regulated yet critical public health areas,†TPAG said, while urging the MPs to immediately pass the Bill.
For lakhs of patients who rely on blood as their lifeline, this reform offers hope for a safer, more accountable, and more efficient blood ecosystem.
A unified national framework will play a pivotal role in strengthening safety, quality assurance, accountability, and public trust.
“Strengthening the governance of blood transfusion services is essential for ensuring safety and public trust. I hope the proposed bill provides a much-needed, science-based framework to streamline standards and improve patient outcomes,†said Prof. N.K. Ganguly, former Director General, ICMR.
Anubha Taneja Mukherjee, Member Secretary of TPAG, noted that the advocacy group will submit detailed comments on the Bill, and strongly urged for the inclusion of patient representation in any body constituted under this framework.
The Federation of Indian Blood Donors Organizations (FIBDO) also commended the efforts made by the MPs to propose the critical Bill in the Parliament.
“We call upon all parliamentarians to unite in passing this bill, which holds the promise of saving countless lives and fortifying the very foundation of India’s healthcare system,†the FIBDO said in a statement.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally! Regulation is long overdue. I'm a regular blood donor and have seen the variation in procedures from one blood bank to another. A unified national standard will protect both donors and recipients. Great step.
The intent is good, but the real test will be in implementation. We have many good laws that fail at the ground level. I hope they allocate sufficient funds and create a robust monitoring system. Fingers crossed.
As someone who works in public health, this is a critical piece of legislation. A national framework will reduce wastage, improve supply chain efficiency, and most importantly, build public trust. Kudos to the MPs who proposed it.
Absolutely vital. The part about including patient representation in the governing body is crucial. Who understands the challenges better than the patients and their families? Hope the MPs listen to TPAG's suggestions.
This bill should also focus on promoting voluntary blood donation drives in colleges and offices. We need to move away from replacement donors. A safe and ample blood supply is a sign of a mature healthcare system. Jai Hind!
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