Full Document (English) - POLICY Project

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NACO is positioning VCTCs as a one-stop shop for care seekers, to provide testing
facilities, counselling, advocacy and information, together with products like
condoms and sound referral support services.
Blood Safety
While the vast majority of HIV infections in India are due to sexual transmission,
the transfusion of unsafe blood and blood products accounts for approximately 3
percent of the HIV infections in the country. This form of transmission has nothing
to do with the behaviour pattern of the individual. Blood safety remains an
important component of the National AIDS Control Programme.
A National Blood Policy was formulated by NACO and adopted by the
Government in April 2002. It provides a framework for better management and
availability of blood and blood products in the country. This was followed up with
an action plan with clear articulation of steps to implement the policy. The
National and State Blood Transfusion Councils were registered as societies in 1996
and are funded mainly by NACO. The Councils supplement NACO’s blood safety
activities, particularly voluntary blood donation and appropriate clinical use of
blood, training and manpower development as well as overall supervision of
the programme.
Voluntary (non-remunerated) blood donations are on the rise, particularly in states
such as Maharashtra and West Bengal, as the State AIDS Control Societies undertake
several activities to promote public awareness of the need for blood donation.
During NACP-I (1992-1999), 815 public sector and charitable blood banks were
modernized, 40 Blood Component Separation Facilities established, and a
countrywide network of HIV testing facilities set up. During NACP–II (1999-
2004), NACO has established 40 additional Blood Component Separation Facilities
in different parts of the country and modernized 20 more major blood banks as well
as all the remaining district-level blood banks.
State-of-the-art model blood banks are being developed in under-served states.
These blood banks are expected to function as demonstration projects for the region
in which they are being set up.
NACO’s blood safety initiatives extend beyond HIV to include the screening of
blood for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in addition to testing for hepatitis B,
syphilis, and malaria. Screening for HCV has been made mandatory from June 1,
2001, and NACO has already provided the necessary technical resources and training
to blood bank personnel.
NACO is committed to providing quality services through the blood safety
programme. In order to improve the standards of manufacturing practices in blood
banks, NACO supports Quality Management Training Programmes. An
accreditation scheme for the blood transfusion services in the country is on the anvil.
Prevention of
HIV/AIDS in Uttar Pradesh