Life‑Saving Move: Integrating Rare Donor Registry with e‑Rakt Kosh

Key Points for SSC & Govt Exams

  1. India’s Health Ministry plans to integrate Rare Donor Registry with national e-Rakt Kosh.
  2. Registry contains 4,000 donors tested for 300+ rare markers (Bombay, Rh-null, P-null).
  3. Initiative under National Health Mission (NHS) to streamline rare blood availability.
  4. ICMR‑NIIH developed India‑tailored DNA screening kits and point-of-care tests.
  5. Cost reduction: sickle cell test from ₹350 to under ₹50 per kit; govt saved ~₹1,857 crore.
  6. Technologies commercialized via Bhat Biotech (Bio‑Scan brand, Aug 2023).
  7. India is second globally (~140,000) in Hemophilia cases; new tests target Hemophilia A, Von Willebrand.

India to Merge Rare Blood Donor Registry with e-Rakt Kosh

What’s Changing & Why It Matters

The Ministry of Health’s decision to integrate the Rare Donor Registry into e‑Rakt Kosh means a single, nationwide portal will now contain data on rare blood donors, blood banks, stock levels, and donation camps. Patients with ultra‑rare blood types—such as Bombay, P‑Null, and Rh‑null—can be matched instantly, significantly reducing search time, cost, and risk.

Registry & Screening Innovations

  • Registrar data: ICMR‑NIIH, with four partners, has a registry of 4,000 donors screened for 300+ markers.
  • DNA-based kits: Multiplex PCR kits tailored for Indian population.
  • Point-of-care (POC) tests: For genetic blood disorders like sickle cell, hemophilia A, Von Willebrand disease, usable at primary health centres.
  • Commercial success: Test kits priced under ₹50 (from ₹350), total savings ~₹1,857 crore. Bio‑Scan kits launched via Bhat Biotech in August 2023.

Public Health Impact

  • Safer transfusions by matching multiple antigens, crucial for thalassemia and sickle cell patients.
  • Affordable screening at local health units.
  • Hemophilia care: India has ~140,000 patients—second after Brazil—and now has rapid visual tests for detection.
  • International outreach: World Federation for Hemophilia showing interest in India’s low‑cost tests.

MCQ Preparation – States & Organizations

Rare Donor Integration

  • ICMR‑NIIH (National Institute of Immunohaematology): under ICMR, Mumbai.
  • National Health Mission: Central government umbrella for public health initiatives.
  • Bhat Biotech: Bangalore-based biotech firm; commercialized Bio‑Scan kits in Aug 2023.

Hemophilia

  • Disease facts: India ~140,000 cases; blood doesn’t clot due to deficiency in clotting factors.
  • Tests: Hemophilia A, Von Willebrand; used at PHCs; attention from WFH.

MCQs

Q1. Who developed the Rare Donor Registry integrating into e‑Rakt Kosh?
A. WHO
B. ICMR‑NIIH – Correct
C. NACO
D. AIIMS

Q2. Which ultra‑rare blood type is NOT listed in India’s registry?
A. Bombay
B. Rh-null
C. P-null
D. O-negative – Correct

Q3. How much did the sickle cell test cost reduce per kit?
A. ₹100 → ₹50
B. ₹350 → ₹50 – Correct
C. ₹500 → ₹50
D. ₹350 → ₹100

Q4. Which organization commercialized the Bio‑Scan POC tests?
A. Serum Institute
B. Bhat Biotech – Correct
C. Cipla
D. Biocon

Q5. India ranks ______ globally in Hemophilia prevalence.
A. First
B. Second – Correct
C. Third
D. Fourth

UPSC‑Style FAQs

Q1: Explain the significance of integrating Rare Donor Registry with e‑Rakt Kosh.
Answer: (Introduction)
The integration creates a unified platform linking rare blood donor data with the national blood bank network.

(Body)

  1. It ensures real‑time access to rare blood stock across India, improving emergency response.
  2. Enables antigen‑matched transfusions, reducing risk in genetic disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell.
  3. Centralized registry of 4,000 donors across 300 markers ensures wider, faster reach.

(Conclusion)
Such integration strengthens public health infrastructure, enhances transfusion safety, and aligns with the goal ‘no life lost due to lack of blood’.

Q2: Discuss the role of point‑of‑care diagnostics in managing hemoglobinopathies in India.
Answer:
Intro:
POC diagnostics bring early, affordable testing to remote areas for blood disorders.

Body:

  • Multiplex PCR and visual card tests reduce cost from ₹350 to ₹50, benefiting ~1.4 lakh patients.
  • Testing at PHCs allows early identification of disorders like sickle cell, hemophilia, aiding timely treatment.
  • ICMR‑NIIH’s tech licensed to Bhat Biotech ensures wider commercial availability.

Conclusion:
Innovative POC tools democratize healthcare access, reduce disease burden, and align with Universal Health Coverage.

FAQ

1. What is e‑Rakt Kosh?
India’s national blood bank management platform under National Health Mission, for tracking blood availability and managing camps.

2. What is Bombay blood group?
An ultra‑rare blood type lacking H antigen; very few worldwide; critical to maintain registry.

3. How were clicks achieved in testing cost reduction?
Through Health Technology Assessments by DHR & ICMR‑CRMCH, replacing ₹350 kits with ₹50 ones, saving ₹1,857 crore.

4. Who is Bhat Biotech?
A Bengaluru biotech company that commercialized the POC Bio‑Scan test kits launched in August 2023.

5. What are the public health benefits?
Immediate rare blood access, reduced transfusion complications, cost‑efficiency, and wider preventive healthcare coverage.