Karnataka has round 260 blood banks together with authorities and personal amenities. |Photograph courtesy: File Photograph
In a transfer aimed toward bringing uniform high quality requirements throughout all blood centres, the state well being division has made it obligatory for all blood banks in Karnataka to acquire accreditation from the Nationwide Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Suppliers (NABH) or accreditation beneath the Nationwide High quality Assurance Requirements (NQAS) program inside one yr.
The directive was issued via a authorities order dated February 17, 2026, after a proposal from Karnataka State Aids Prevention Society (KSAPS) and session with NABH authorities.
The proposal states that it’s the accountability of the Karnataka Blood Transfusion Council to make sure that all blood facilities within the state operate in accordance with the rules of the Nationwide Blood Transfusion Council, the Medicine and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the Directorate Normal of Well being Companies, New Delhi, the Karnataka State Blood Transfusion Council, and the instructions of the State and Central governments.
Officers stated discussions have been held with NABH authorities earlier than the choice was finalized, with the goal of stopping infectious ailments via blood transfusions and strengthening correct administration of blood facilities.
Shakira N., state deputy director (blood security), stated: hinduism The transfer is aimed toward strengthening programs for managing blood assortment, testing and storage, it introduced Thursday. “Blood banks take care of life-saving companies. A number of processes are concerned, from donor screening and blood assortment to testing, element separation and storage. Every of those steps should meet outlined requirements, with applicable infrastructure, educated personnel and calibrated tools,” she stated.
260 blood banks within the state
Karnataka has round 260 blood banks together with authorities and personal amenities. As per this order, all authorities blood banks are required to acquire NQAS certification. Blood facilities functioning beneath autonomous our bodies of presidency can select both NQAS accreditation or NABH accreditation. Nevertheless, in line with the order, all personal blood banks that aren’t eligible beneath the government-run NQAS system will probably be required to acquire NABH accreditation.
All current blood banks have one yr to safe the required accreditation. New blood banks should receive accreditation inside one yr from the date of licensure.
Monitoring challenges
Current blood banks have one yr to conform. Newly licensed blood banks should receive accreditation inside one yr from the date of approval. Licenses are renewed each 5 years and topic to common inspections by district-level officers. “Personal blood banks might be tough to observe every day. This transfer will guarantee an extra layer of high quality oversight,” Dr. Shakira stated.
He cited studies in different states the place lax testing has allegedly led to transfusion-related infections, and stated each the central and state governments have been eager to tighten security measures.
The certification course of contains commonplace working process documentation, infrastructure evaluation, and compliance checks and might take 8 to 10 months. The price of certification is borne by every blood financial institution. If the certification just isn’t obtained inside the stipulated interval, the license will probably be suspended, the order states.
Dr. Shakira stated joint inspections by the State Narcotics Management Bureau and the Well being Division had recognized procedural deficiencies in some blood banks prior to now and motion had been initiated the place needed. “Protected blood is non-negotiable,” Dr. Shakira added.
