Why in the News

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine whether blood banks across India should compulsorily conduct Nucleic Acid Test for screening donated blood. The matter relates to ensuring safe blood transfusion as part of the right to life under Article 21.

What is NAT(Nucleic Acid Test)? 

• A highly sensitive molecular technique.
• Detects genetic material of viruses.
• Screens for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
• Can identify infections during the window period before antibodies develop.
• Compared to ELISA, NAT detects infection earlier and reduces risk of transfusion transmitted infections.

ELISA vs NAT

ELISA Test:

• Detects antibodies produced by the body.
• Cheaper and widely used in blood banks.
• May miss infections during early stage.

NAT:

• Detects viral RNA or DNA directly.
• More accurate in early detection.
• Higher cost and infrastructure requirement.

Legal Dimension

• Petitioner argued:

• • Safe blood transfusion is part of Article 21 right to life.
  • Failure to ensure safe blood amounts to violation of fundamental rights.
  • Bench headed by Surya Kant asked whether all States can afford NAT in government hospitals.

Background Incidents

• HIV positive cases among children in Satna, Madhya Pradesh after transfusion.
• Similar allegations in Jharkhand involving Thalassemia patients.
• These cases highlight risk of transfusion transmitted infections.

Public Health Context

• Thalassemia:

• • Inherited blood disorder.
  • Patients require frequent blood transfusions.
  • Increased vulnerability to contaminated blood.
  • India has a high burden of Thalassemia cases.

Policy Issues Involved

• Cost effectiveness of NAT.
• Infrastructure gaps in rural and State hospitals.
• Standardisation of blood screening across India.
• Centre State coordination in health sector.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now