Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: Reacting strongly to the HIV-infected blood transfusion case involving thalassemia-affected children in Chaibasa, Jamshedpur (West) MLA Saryu Rai said that the suspension of the Civil Surgeon alone is insufficient, as the Health Ministry and the Secretariat are equally responsible for this systemic failure.
Government Ignored National Blood Policy
Rai alleged that all government-run blood banks in Jharkhand are in disarray, and the National Blood Policy remains unimplemented even after years of assurance. He demanded accountability from the state health minister and the health secretary for the delay in enforcing the policy.
He recalled that on March 11, 2022, the state government had admitted in the Assembly that blood collection standardswere not being followed. Despite assurances of corrective action, nothing has been done, and no measures were taken against hospitals that failed to conduct proper blood collection drives.
Most Districts Lack Blood Separation Units
Highlighting the severe infrastructural gaps, Rai revealed that only three hospitals—Ranchi Sadar Hospital, RIMS, and MGM Jamshedpur—currently operate blood separation units. The remaining 23 districts lack this facility, forcing hospitals to transfuse whole blood instead of separated components like platelets, RBCs, and plasma, which increases health risks for patients.
Policy Violations and Administrative Negligence
Rai further pointed out that most blood banks do not have independent medical officers, and are being managed by in-charge doctors, in violation of national policy norms. He accused the government’s top officials of gross negligence, stating that “when indifference prevails at the highest level, the state’s healthcare system is left to fate.”
