New Delhi: The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, unveiled India’s inaugural “Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Blood Transfusion and Blood Banks for Animals” on August 25, 2025. This milestone fills a long-standing gap by instituting a comprehensive, ethical, and standardized framework for veterinary transfusion medicine across the nation.
Background and Need for Guidelines
Blood transfusion in animals is a critical, life-saving intervention for managing trauma, severe anaemia, surgery-related blood loss, infectious diseases, and coagulation disorders. Until this release, Indian veterinary transfusion practices mostly operated without formal regulations or standardized donor screening, blood typing, and storage protocols, leading to risks in patient care. The guidelines bridge this gap, aligning India’s veterinary practices with global best standards through extensive consultations with the Veterinary Council of India, ICAR institutes, veterinary universities, state authorities, and practicing veterinarians.
Key Highlights of the Guidelines
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Creation of state-regulated veterinary blood banks equipped with biosafety-compliant infrastructure.
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Mandatory blood typing and cross-matching procedures to prevent transfusion incompatibility and adverse reactions.
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Clear donor eligibility criteria covering health status, vaccination, age, weight, and disease screenings.
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Emphasis on voluntary and non-remunerated donations with informed consent governed by a Donor Rights Charter.
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Integration of One Health principles to mitigate zoonotic risks.
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Standardized SOPs, forms, and checklists for donor registration, transfusion procedure monitoring, and adverse event reporting.
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A strategic plan to develop a National Veterinary Blood Bank Network (N-VBBN) featuring digital registries, real-time inventory tracking, and an emergency helpline.
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Incorporation of training modules into veterinary educational curricula and continuing professional education to strengthen competency.
Future-Ready Innovations
The guidelines encourage technological advancements such as:
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Mobile blood collection units to enhance accessibility.
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Cryopreservation techniques for rare blood types.
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Mobile applications for efficient donor-recipient matching.
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Ongoing research into advanced transfusion methods to improve clinical outcomes.
Vital Role of Animal Sector in India’s Economy and Public Health
India’s livestock population exceeds 537 million, with over 125 million companion animals. The sector contributes about 5.5% to the national GDP and over 30% to agricultural GDP, underpinning food security, rural livelihoods, and public health. The rising demand for specialized emergency veterinary care, including blood transfusion, necessitates these guidelines to strengthen clinical veterinary services and animal welfare nationwide.
Conclusion
The release of India’s first national guidelines and SOPs for animal blood transfusion and blood banks marks a paradigm shift in veterinary healthcare. This advisory framework is dynamic, designed to evolve with scientific advances and field experiences, ensuring enhanced quality, safety, and ethical standards while safeguarding animal lives and bolstering rural economic security.
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Source: PIB