SUPREME COURT SEEKS DETAILS ON COST, AVAILABILITY OF NAT IN HOSPITAL TO PREVENT TRANSFUSION RELATED INFECTION:

The Supreme Court of India has requested additional information regarding the costs and availability of Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) facilities in government hospitals nationwide. This testing is aimed at detecting Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) such as HIV and hepatitis. During the proceedings, a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, instructed lawyer A. Velan, representing the petitioner Sarvesham Mangalam Foundation, to furnish details on the expenses involved in performing NAT tests. The court also inquired about the presence of such facilities in public hospitals to ensure accessibility for economically disadvantaged individuals.

The foundation, through its Public Interest Litigation (PIL), has named the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as well as all states and Union Territories, as respondents. The plea urges the court to recognize the "Right to Safe Blood" as an essential component of the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. Furthermore, it calls for mandatory implementation of NAT in every blood bank across the country to screen for TTIs, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), malaria, and syphilis. This measure would apply to all donated blood, guaranteeing that recipients receive safe, infection-free transfusions.

The Delhi-based non-governmental organization (NGO) has drawn attention to what it describes as a persistent and systemic shortfall by the state in safeguarding vulnerable patients, especially those suffering from Thalassemia, from dangerous TTIs like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Thalassemia patients depend on regular blood transfusions—typically every 15 to 20 days—to sustain their lives. However, the petition argues that these essential procedures have turned into a perilous risk for many in India, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.

Thalassemia is a hereditary condition characterized by the body's insufficient production of hemoglobin, the vital protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and returning carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation. Given that India bears the highest global burden of Thalassemia cases, the petition emphasizes the urgent necessity to enhance blood safety protocols throughout the nation. It particularly advocates for the adoption of a uniform, standardized screening test for all blood donations to mitigate these risks.

The PIL references several recent avoidable incidents that underscore the gravity of the issue. In Madhya Pradesh, for instance, at least six children with Thalassemia contracted HIV in 2025 following blood transfusions at Satna District Hospital. Similarly, in Jharkhand, five children were infected with HIV after receiving transfusions at Sadar Hospital in Chaibasa during the same year. The petition also highlights a case from Uttar Pradesh in 2023, where 14 children acquired Hepatitis and HIV infections at a medical college. These examples illustrate the dire consequences of inadequate screening methods and the need for immediate reforms to prevent further harm.

By pushing for compulsory NAT adoption, the foundation seeks to address these vulnerabilities and ensure equitable access to safe blood for all, regardless of socioeconomic status. The court's call for detailed cost and availability data suggests a potential step toward evaluating the feasibility of nationwide implementation, which could significantly improve public health outcomes in blood transfusion practices. This case highlights broader concerns about healthcare equity and the government's role in upholding constitutional rights related to life and dignity.