World Blood Donor Day: Blood Supply Challenges Persist in 8 Indian States

India collected approximately 1.46 crore units of blood during the year 2024-25, meeting the national requirement. However, health experts have raised concerns about the distribution of blood, particularly in regions where timely access to the correct blood type remains a challenge. These areas are referred to as 'blood deserts' due to their lack of adequate blood supply infrastructure.

A study published in BMJ Global Health analyzed Empowered Action Group (EAG) states, including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The findings revealed that a significant portion of the population in these states faces difficulties in accessing blood banks within an hour's travel time. This highlights the disparity in blood supply availability despite sufficient overall collection.

Health experts emphasize the need for improved infrastructure and distribution mechanisms to address these gaps and ensure equitable access to blood across all regions.

Key Points
- India collected 1.46 crore units of blood in 2024-25, meeting national requirements.
- Distribution challenges persist, with certain regions lacking timely access to blood.
- 'Blood deserts' identified in 8 states: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Study published in BMJ Global Health highlights limited access to blood banks in these areas.