India releases first national Guidelines and SOPs for blood transfusion and blood banks for animals
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying released India's first national 'Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for Blood Transfusion and Blood Banks for Animals in India' on 25 August 2025.
Summary
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) released the 'Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Blood Transfusion and Blood Banks for Animals in India' on 25 August 2025, India's first comprehensive national framework for veterinary transfusion medicine. The guidelines provide for state-regulated veterinary blood banks with biosafety-compliant infrastructure, mandatory blood typing and cross-matching, donor eligibility criteria, voluntary non-remunerated donation with a Donor Rights Charter, and integration of One Health principles. They also lay out a roadmap for a National Veterinary Blood Bank Network (N-VBBN) with digital registries, real-time inventories and an emergency helpline. The document was developed after consultations with the Veterinary Council of India, veterinary universities, ICAR institutes and state governments.
Key facts
- Released by
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying)
- Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Significance
- First national framework for veterinary transfusion medicine
- Key provisions
- State-regulated vet blood banks; mandatory blood typing and cross-matching; Donor Rights Charter; One Health
- Network
- National Veterinary Blood Bank Network (N-VBBN) roadmap
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which body released India's first national 'Guidelines and SOPs for Blood Transfusion and Blood Banks for Animals in India' in August 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying released the guidelines and SOPs.
Consider the following statements about the national Guidelines/SOPs for animal blood transfusion released in August 2025: 1. They make blood typing and cross-matching mandatory to prevent incompatibility reactions. 2. They lay out a roadmap for a National Veterinary Blood Bank Network (N-VBBN). Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Key highlights include mandatory blood typing and cross-matching to prevent incompatibility reactions and a roadmap for a National Veterinary Blood Bank Network (N-VBBN) with digital registries, real-time inventories and an emergency helpline.