Concern grows over blood safety after reported HIV infections from transfusions
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has agreed to examine whether blood banks across the country should be required to mandatorily conduct the Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) to improve blood safety standards. The move comes amid growing concerns over complications arising from blood transfusions and recent cases where children reportedly contracted HIV through contaminated blood.
Court raises questions over cost and feasibility
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi raised concerns regarding the financial and logistical feasibility of making NAT testing compulsory in all blood banks across India.
Comparison sought between NAT and ELISA tests
During the hearing, the court asked advocate A. Velan, appearing for the petitioner NGO Sarvesham Mangalam Foundation, to address the cost-effectiveness of NAT compared with the widely used Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test.
States’ financial capacity questioned
The Chief Justice specifically questioned whether all States would be able to afford the implementation of NAT in government blood banks and hospitals, particularly those already struggling with limited financial resources.
Bench highlights economic challenges for poorer States
The Bench observed that while cities like Delhi may be able to afford such advanced testing systems, States facing difficulties in paying salaries or electricity bills could find the additional expense burdensome.
Petitioner asked to submit detailed data
The court directed the petitioner to conduct further research and submit an affidavit detailing whether State hospitals are currently using NAT, how many hospitals have implemented the test, and in which States it is available. The matter has been posted for further hearing on March 13.
Safe blood transfusion linked to right to life
The petition argued that access to safe blood transfusion forms an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. It emphasised NAT as a more sensitive and safer testing mechanism to ensure infection-free blood supply to patients.
Thalassemia patients at higher risk
The plea highlighted the vulnerability of Thalassemia patients who require frequent transfusions and therefore face repeated exposure risks. The issue gained urgency after recent incidents, including reports that six children in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district were found HIV positive after receiving allegedly contaminated blood, while another case in Jharkhand’s Chaibasa involved similar allegations by the family of a seven-year-old Thalassemia patient.
