Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Bio Technology, Issue: Animal Blood Bank.
Context:
The Indian government plans to establish a National Veterinary Blood Bank Network (N-VBBN) to strengthen veterinary healthcare.
Key Takeaways:
The initiative seeks to:
- Develop standardized protocols for animal blood transfusion.
- Define criteria for donor animals to ensure safe and ethical collection.
- Build infrastructure for veterinary blood banks across the country.
- Provide core services such as collection, screening, storage, and distribution of animal blood.
- The N-VBBN aims to fill the current gap of a national regulatory framework, formalize critical veterinary care, and guarantee the availability of safe, screened blood for animals in need.
Key Provisions of the Draft Guidelines:
- Donor Criteria: Animals must be healthy, vaccinated, non-pregnant, & meet specified age–weight limits.
- The draft guidelines specify criteria for donor animals (canine, feline, or livestock) to ensure the safety and quality of blood donations.
- General Health and Suitability:
- The animal must be clinically healthy.
- The animal must be free from tick- and vector-borne diseases.
- Age and Weight Requirements:
- Dogs: Between 1 and 8 years of age, with a minimum body weight of 25 kg.
- Cats: Ideally between 1 and 5 years of age, with a minimum body weight of 4 kg, and not obese.
- Livestock: Selected from among healthy adults.
- Vaccination and Reproductive Health:
- Donor animals must be fully vaccinated, especially against rabies.
- Donor animals should have been regularly dewormed.
- Female donor animals must not be pregnant or recently lactating.
- Bank Locations: Veterinary colleges, referral hospitals, diagnostic centres, and government multi-speciality hospitals; operational 24×7.
- Operating Mandate: Mandatory screening, traceability, and maintaining quality records for five years.
- National Network: Establish a National Veterinary Blood Bank Network (N-VBBN) to unify registries, inventories, helplines, and standardise practices.
- Non-Commercial: Monetary incentives prohibited; encourages voluntary animal blood donation.
Draft Guidelines for Veterinary Blood Transfusion Services in India:
Conclusion:
The establishment of an organized animal blood bank network through standardized protocols aims to enhance veterinary care in India. By ensuring consistent practices in blood transfusion and improving emergency services, the initiative is set to benefit overall animal health and contribute positively to the agricultural economy.
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