New Delhi [India], August 26 (HBTV): The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has released the Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Blood Transfusion and Blood Banks for Animals in India.

The ministry said that these guidelines bridge a critical gap by providing a scientific, ethical, and structured framework for donor selection, blood collection, component processing, storage, transfusion procedures, monitoring, and safety safeguards in animals. Developed after wide consultations with the Veterinary Council of India, veterinary universities, ICAR institutes, state governments, practicing veterinarians, and experts, the document also aligns India’s practices with global standards.

The key provisions include the establishment of state-regulated veterinary blood banks with biosafety-compliant infrastructure, mandatory blood typing and cross-matching to prevent incompatibility reactions, and donor eligibility criteria covering health, vaccination, age, weight, and disease screening norms. The guidelines also emphasise voluntary, non-remunerated donations, informed consent through a Donor Rights Charter, and integration of One Health principles to manage zoonotic risks.

India’s livestock and companion animal sectors comprise over 537 million livestock and more than 125 million companion animals. Together, they contribute 5.5 per cent to the national GDP and over 30 per cent to agricultural GDP, serving as a cornerstone for food security, rural livelihoods, and public health. With advancements in veterinary diagnostics and therapeutics, there is a growing demand for specialised emergency veterinary care, particularly blood transfusion support across species, the ministry noted.

The release of these guidelines marks a significant milestone in India’s veterinary healthcare ecosystem, aimed at strengthening clinical care, saving animal lives, protecting rural livelihoods, and advancing animal welfare nationwide.

(ANI)