Shimla, Feb 4 : An NGO has raised concerns about the prolonged inactivity of the State Blood Transfusion Council, attributing the current blood shortage to its dormancy. The council, established to oversee blood bank operations in line with Supreme Court directives, has reportedly not convened in over eight years. This inactivity has led to significant challenges in blood availability, with major blood banks struggling to meet patient needs. The NGO has called upon the Chief Minister to address this issue and hold the responsible Health Department officials accountable.

Ajay Srivastava, president of Umang Foundation, has criticized the State Blood Transfusion Council for its prolonged inactivity. He highlighted that the council, established under the Health Secretary’s leadership to oversee blood bank operations in line with Supreme Court directives, has neither been restructured nor convened any meetings in over eight years. (

He has raised concerns about the State Blood Transfusion Council’s prolonged inactivity. He highlighted that, despite being established under the Health Secretary’s leadership to oversee blood bank operations in line with Supreme Court directives, the council has neither been restructured nor convened any meetings for over eight years. This inactivity has led to major blood banks struggling to provide timely blood to patients, increasing the risk of illegal blood trading. Srivastava emphasized that the council’s intended roles—overseeing blood bank operations, raising awareness among voluntary organizations and donors, and addressing blood shortages—remain unfulfilled.

Ajay Srivastava, president of Umang Foundation, highlighted that major blood banks, including those at Indira Gandhi Medical College, are facing significant staff and equipment shortages. These deficiencies hinder the state’s ability to meet the Central Government’s objective of utilizing 100% blood components. Despite the presence of component separation machines in four state blood banks, they are not being utilized effectively. Furthermore, no blood bank in the state is equipped with apheresis machines, which are essential for collecting specific blood components and can significantly enhance donation capacity. Srivastava also pointed out that, contrary to Supreme Court guidelines, the council’s office is located in a rented building in Khalini, far from the Indira Gandhi Medical College, and lacks leadership from a director at a major medical institution.

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