Guwahati : Assam participated in a nationwide review of blood transfusion services convened by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with the Centre reiterating its goal of ensuring safe blood availability across every district by 2026.

The virtual meeting was chaired by Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary (Public Health) and Director General of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), and saw participation from all 36 states and Union Territories.

From Assam, senior officials including NHM Mission Director Lakshmanan S, along with representatives from the Assam State AIDS Control Society, Indian Red Cross Society (Assam) and the State Drug Control Administration, took part in the discussions.

The review assessed performance across five key stages of blood transfusion services-licensing, donor screening and collection, infection testing, processing and storage, and reporting systems. Progress was evaluated using 10 indicators based on data from digital platforms such as eRaktKosh and the Blood Bank Management System.

Chairing the meeting, Gupta emphasised the Centre’s target of achieving zero transfusion-transmitted infections and ensuring that every district has at least one functional blood bank by December 2026.

Officials noted that Assam has made steady progress, particularly in expanding district-level coverage of blood centres and strengthening testing protocols. Blood units in the state are being screened using ELISA and CLIA-based methods, in line with national safety standards.

The meeting also outlined priority areas for the coming months, including strict adherence to standard operating procedures in blood centres and donation camps, expansion of component separation facilities, and enhanced digital tracking through eRaktKosh and related systems.

Plans are underway to introduce biometric donor identification linked to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, along with the creation of Health Facility Registry identifiers for all centres.

Gupta directed states to review licensing status, ensure full adoption of digital systems, and strengthen training of personnel to build a reliable and transparent blood service network.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the Centre to achieve the shared goal of ensuring timely, accessible, and safe blood for every citizen.