Indian Government Allows Transfer of Blood Between Blood Banks in the Country

An exchange value of Rs. 1,600 per liter of plasma has been fixed. Blood banks can exchange surplus plasma for consumables, equipments or plasma derived products.

India's health ministry has permitted transfer of blood from one blood bank to another. This step will help in transferring blood to the hospitals that face scarcity.

The health ministry has also fixed an exchange value for surplus plasma available at some blood banks in the country.

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The ministry said, "Now, an exchange value of Rs. 1,600 per liter of plasma has been fixed and the blood banks with surplus plasma can exchange it for consumables, equipments or plasma derived products, as per their need. Earlier, in the absence of the enabling provision, surplus plasma was traded or sold by the blood banks without any regulation whatsoever."

The decision was taken after the recommendations made by the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC). NBTC is an apex body for formulating policy matters pertaining to the organization, operation, standards and training of a sustainable and safe blood transfusion service for the country.

Source-IANS

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