Bench of Gauhati High Court directs state and Centre to upgrade blood transfusion services and address shortage of specialists
The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has directed the Nagaland government to establish at least one blood bank or blood storage centre in every district of the state, while also issuing directions to strengthen specialist manpower and ensure effective implementation of blood transfusion services.
The direction was issued on May 27 while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2021 concerning the availability and functioning of blood banking facilities in the state.
The court directed the Department of Health and Family Welfare to take appropriate steps in line with the roadmap placed before it. It also asked respondent authorities including the Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, State Mission Director of National Health Mission, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, and Nagaland State Blood Transfusion Centre, to increase the number of specialists in blood transfusion services, observing that infrastructure such as blood storage centres and blood banks would not be effective without trained personnel.
The court further directed the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide necessary financial assistance and technical support for setting up blood storage centres or blood banks in every district hospital in Nagaland.
“Though the subject ‘Public Health and Sanitation; Hospitals and Dispensaries’ is a state subject, the government of India cannot shy away from providing necessary financial assistance and technical know-how to states like the State of Nagaland where, on account of lack of availability of adequate finances, the state is not being able to provide necessary medical infrastructure, which in turn violates the Right to Health which is a facet of Right to Life,” the court observed.
The court also directed coordination between the state government and the Union ministry for financial assistance, technical support, and other requirements needed to implement the roadmap submitted before it.
It further asked the Union ministry to provide assistance and monitor the establishment of blood banks and storage centres in accordance with its guidelines.
The Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare has been directed to file an affidavit of compliance and action taken report before the court registry on or before January 19, 2027.
The order stated that the closure of the PIL would not prevent petitioners or any public-spirited individual from approaching the court again after January 2027 if directions are not complied with or if residents continue to face difficulties due to the absence of blood banks, blood storage centres, and trained personnel.
During the hearing, the court was informed that Nagaland currently has six licensed blood centres located at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, Dimapur District Hospital, Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital Mokokchung, Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, 154 Army General Hospital Zakhama, and 165 Army Hospital Rangapahar.
It was also informed that six blood storage centres are functioning at Community Health Centre Jalukie, Community Health Centre Medziphema, District Hospital Mon, Dr Motsuo Memorial District Hospital Wokha, District Hospital Kiphire, and Hezukhu Memorial District Hospital Zunheboto.
In addition, the state has two blood component separation units at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima and Dimapur District Hospital.
