"Organize Blood Donation Camps Adhering To Covid Norms, Furnish Information On E- Raktkosh Portal": MP HC Directs State Authorities

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the State Authorities including Director of Health Services, Director of Blood Banks and Additional Director of Health Services to organize blood donation camps district wise by adhering to covid protocols and also to furnish information of such camps in the E- RaktkoshPortal or any other media platform.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Atul Sreedharan directed thus:

"We deem it appropriate to direct the State Authorities including Director of Health Services, Director of Blood Banks and the Additional Director of Health Services to issue necessary appeal to the blood donors and organize number of blood donation camps district wise by adhering to the COVID-19 norms and protocols i.e. by maintaining social distance, use of mask and sanitization etc. and notifying the donation camps in the E-Raktkosh portal or by use of other media platform."

The development came in a petition moved through Advocate Rishabh Dubey seeking directions on the respondent authorities to ensure strict compliance of the advisory dated 5th May 2021 issued by the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) directing to conduct blood donation camps and showing the data on E-Raktkosh Portal.

It was the case of the petitioner that the NBTC on 5th March 2021 advised a deferral criteria for blood donation post COVID-19 vaccination to all the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC). According to the aforesaid, SBTC was advised 28 days post vaccination deferral after last dose of COVID-19 vaccination irrespective of vaccination received.

However, it was submitted by the petitioner that the deferral period was lowered down by the NBTC vide letter dated 5th May 2021 from 28 days to 14 days after Doctors and Medical Experts raised the issue of reducing the deferral period owing to the issue of scarcity of blood and blood banks.

In was also submitted by the petitioner that the State Government is not organizing sufficient number of blood registration camps. And that according to E-Raktkosh portal of the State, there are total 112 blood banks in the State.

It was also averred that on 16.04.2020, Hon'ble Union Health Minister issued letter to Cheif Minister of M.P. in refernce to measures to be taken to avoid shortage of blood in state that can cause impact on pregnant women and people suffering from blood disorders and use of erakhtkosh portal as single point management system for stock of blood and blood donation camp.

Furthermore, it was stated that as per order dated 05.05.2021 passed by director of MP State Blood transfusion, minimum stock of 50-60 units to be maintained by all the blood banks which is not maintained by blood banks. However, it was submitted that due to some of the blood banks having shortage of certain blood groups, it was difficult for the patients to timely receive blood transfusion.

In view of this, the Court directed the State Authorities to "issue necessary appeal" to the blood donors and for organizing blood donation camps district wise adhering to the covid 19 norms.

With the aforesaid observation, the Court disposed of the writ petition.

Title: Dr. Yogeshwar Prasad Shukla Vs. State of M.P. & Ors.

Click Here To Read Order