Healthy Soch
Urge both houses of Parliament to pass the life saving bill at the earliest
india
healthysoch
New Delhi, December 13, 2025:
Suneha Paul – a beta thalassaemia patient from West Bengal was returning from her market when her phone rang . It was a call from a thalassemia friend from Delhi who informed her on tabling of Blood Safety Bill in both houses of parliament. Her emotions were mixed , perhaps if done earlier it could have saved her from life long stigma and challenges of HIV, but better than never, she thought. Diagnosed at 2 months for thalassemia , Suneha contracted HIV when 8 yrs old due to transfusion of HIV infected blood in her body. She has been receiving blood transfusions every two weeks .
Says Suneha, “ Everyday is a challenge for patients like me to live and fight stigma of HIV for no fault of ours . I thank both Hon’ble Members of Parliament , for tabling this important bill into Parliament . I strongly urge all Members of Parliament to pass this bill at the earliest.”
The Thalassaemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG) warmly welcomes and deeply appreciates the introduction of the National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025 by Shri Parshottambhai Rupala, Lok Sabha MP. For India’s thalassaemia community, which depends on safe, uninterrupted, and quality assured blood transfusions for survival, this legislation marks a historic and long-awaited step forward.
This momentum is further strengthened by the parallel Bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Dr Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, reflecting a coherent and serious parliamentary commitment to reforming one of India’s most under regulated yet life critical public health areas.
The proposed legislation seeks to create a dedicated National Blood Transfusion Authority, set uniform national standards for the collection, testing, processing, storage, distribution, issuance, and transfusion of blood and blood components, mandate registration of all blood centres, strengthen haemovigilance, promote voluntary blood donation, and introduce strict penalties for unsafe or non-compliant practices. These provisions directly address long standing concerns faced by patients, caregivers, and clinicians due to fragmented regulation and inconsistent quality.
Speaking on behalf of the thalassaemia community, thalassaemics across India expressed deep appreciation for this renewed legislative focus and its commitment to strengthening safe and equitable access to blood. For lakhs of patients who rely on blood as their lifeline, this reform offers hope for a safer, more accountable, and more efficient blood ecosystem. A unified national framework will play a pivotal role in strengthening safety, quality assurance, accountability, and public trust.
Prof. N.K. Ganguly, former Director General, ICMR said “Strengthening the governance of blood transfusion services is essential for ensuring safety and public trust. I hope the proposed bill provides a much-needed, science-based framework to streamline standards and improve patient outcomes.”
Anubha Taneja Mukherjee, Member Secretary of TPAG, said: “For thousands of thalassaemia patients, blood is not a treatment. It is a lifeline. These Bills finally recognise the urgency of building a strong and unified national framework to ensure safe and equitable access to quality blood. We deeply appreciate this legislative step and urge Parliament to prioritise and pass this law at the earliest. The dignity, safety, and future of patients cannot wait any longer. We will also be submitting detailed comments on the Bill and strongly urge that patient representation be included in any body constituted under this framework to ensure lived experiences inform policy and implementation”
Deepak Chopra, President of Thalassemics India, said: “This Bill represents a transformational shift in how India approaches blood safety. For decades, patients have struggled with inconsistent quality and systemic gaps. A national framework will finally bring uniformity, accountability, and dignity to patient care. We welcome this landmark step.”
A strong national regulatory architecture for blood and blood components is indispensable for public health. TPAG remains committed to working with policymakers, experts, state authorities, and civil society to support smooth and timely implementation once the Bill is enacted.
For India’s thalassaemia community, this Bill is not merely a reform. It is a lifeline, and its timely passage will shape the future of safe blood in India.
Suneha Paul, a 23-year-old beta thalassaemia patient, said “I was diagnosed at two months old and have been receiving blood transfusions every two weeks. In class eight, I was diagnosed with HIV, which added to my challenges. I appreciate the authorities’ efforts in ensuring safe blood transfusions, a crucial aspect of patient care. Thank you for prioritizing this matter and making a difference in the lives of patients like me. I am grateful for the serious measures being taken—your efforts are truly lifesaving.”
Nehal Dhingra, living with Thalassaemia Major since age two, shared: “Blood transfusions have shaped my routines, my challenges, and ultimately, my strength. Safe blood is everything for someone who depends on it to survive. The newly tabled National Safe Blood Bill brings hope for a healthier, more secure tomorrow for thousands of patients. I am deeply grateful for this Bill.”
TPAG believes that safe blood is not only a medical necessity but a fundamental right. The Bills introduced in both Houses set the foundation for safeguarding this right for generations to come and reflect a shift from piecemeal regulation to a modern, comprehensive law aligned with the highest standards of safety and ethical practice. Thalassaemics across the country wholeheartedly appreciate this move and urge all Members of Parliament to ensure swift passage during the ongoing Winter Session. Every delay prolongs systemic vulnerabilities that directly impact patient lives.
