Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has informed that no meeting of the Governing Body of the Gujarat State Council for Blood Transfusion has been held in the past two years, leading to 33 pending applications related to blood bank recognition under the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre (RBTC) framework.

In a written reply as of December 31, 2025, to a question raised by MLA Hemantbhai Hardasbhai Ahir (Jamjodhpur), the Minister of State for Health stated that not a single meeting of the Governing Body had been convened during the last two years .

When asked about the reasons for not holding any meetings, the government cited “administrative reasons” .

The absence of meetings has resulted in 33 applications remaining pending for granting recognition to blood banks under the RBTC system . These recognitions are essential for the smooth functioning and regulatory compliance of blood banks across the state.

Regarding the timeline for clearing the pending proposals, the government said that the applications would be disposed of once the meeting of the Governing Body of the Gujarat State Council for Blood Transfusion is convened .

The disclosure highlights administrative delays in the functioning of the state-level body responsible for overseeing blood transfusion services and granting necessary approvals to blood banks in Gujarat.

Who Are the Members of GSCBT

1. Principal Secretary Health (Public Health) as Chair Person
2. Commissioner Health, Medical Services and Medical Education
3. Project Director, Gujarat State AIDS Control Society,
4. Secretary, Expenditure, Finance Department
5. Director, Gujarat State Council for Blood Transfusion as Member Secretary
6. Commissioner, Food and Drugs Control Administration
7. State Representative of Indian Red Cross Gujarat Branch, nominated by President Red Cross (other than President and Secretary)
8. Medical Superintendent of Government Medical Colleges (by Rotation)
9. Professor and Head, IHBT at Govt. Medical College (by Rotation)
10. 2 Representative (1 each) of NGOs on field of Blood banking professional bodies of blood bankers
11. Two experts in field of Transfusion Medicine

Objectives of the Gujarat State Council for Blood Transfusion are:

• Giving NOC to start the new blood bank, renewal of blood banks, RBTC, Blood Component Facility and etc. as per NBTC guideline
• Giving outdoor camp permission to blood banks
• Support blood storage centers/ reorganize blood transfusion services in the remote areas.
• Promote voluntary blood donation.
• Joint inspection of blood banks
• Increase appropriate use of blood/ blood components.
• Development of IEC for promotion of Voluntary Blood Donation

DeshGujarat