Mumbai: In a bid to prevent over-collection and potential misuse or wastage of blood, the Maharashtra government has capped blood donation camps at 500 units per event. The directive was issued during a review meeting of the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC), chaired by the Minister of Public Health and Family Welfare.
The move follows an earlier review meeting of the SBTC held on June 12, 2025, where the Health Minister had issued a set of key directives. Acting on these, the Council released a circular formalizing the 500-unit limit per camp and introducing stricter regulatory oversight.
“To address this, the SBTC has issued a circular enforcing the 500-unit cap per camp and has made it mandatory to seek prior online approval from the respective District Blood Transfusion Officer. If no response is received within three days, the permission will be considered as deemed approved,” stated Dr. Purshottam Puri, Assistant Director, SBTC in the circular.
In addition, the Council has raised concerns over the growing trend of offering expensive gifts—such as headphones, smartwatches, and other high-value items—to blood donors. This practice has been termed a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and is now strictly prohibited. Organisers found violating this rule may face regulatory action.
All blood centers across Maharashtra have also been instructed to install complaint and suggestion boxes to enhance transparency and accountability. Officials are required to submit a compliance report within 15 days to the SBTC.
It may be recalled that in early June 2025, Mumbai faced an acute shortage of blood in its blood banks. While the city’s daily requirement stood at 1,000 to 1,400 units, only around 5,300 units remained in stock across all blood banks. Several hospitals reportedly ran out of supplies altogether. Officials from the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) attributed the shortfall to the annual summer vacation period, during which many regular donors travel to their hometowns. Although special blood donation camps are usually organised to replenish the shortfall, over-collection during these drives has raised serious concerns about blood expiry and misuse.
Collected Blood Can Be Used for Only 35 Days
According to SBTC, blood collected during camps can only be used for up to 35 days. If not used within this timeframe, the blood expires and cannot be used for any patient.
Daily Demand of 5,000 Units in the State
The daily requirement for blood in the state is 4,000 to 5,000 units, of which Mumbai alone accounts for 1,000 to 1400 units. Private blood banks are allowed to sell surplus blood to donors in other states, but government blood banks are not permitted to sell blood.
