AMN / NEW DELHI

The Government has instructed all hospitals to obtain blood only from licensed blood banks. There are a total of three thousand twenty three licensed blood banks in the country.

Official sources said all licensed blood banks are instructed to follow the guidelines of National Blood Transfusion Council for processing charges for blood and its components, and not levy any additional charges. They are also directed to display the charges prominently in the blood bank premises for public viewing.

The sources said all districts in the country, barring 74, have at least one licensed blood bank. Under the National Health Mission, the government has provided support for setting up blood banks in 68 such districts to cater to patients in remote parts of the country.