Integration of Rare Blood Donor Registry with e-Rakt Kosh

Why in News?

The Central Health Ministry plans to integrate the Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI) with the e-Rakt Kosh platform.

e-Rakt Kosh – It is a centralized, web-based blood bank management system under the National Health Mission (NHM) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Developed by – Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
Key features – It provides real-time information on blood stock availability across registered blood banks.
It helps in donor management, blood inventory management, and tracking of blood donations.
It integrates the state with national-level health systems to streamline blood bank operations.
It supports both voluntary donations and rare blood group donor identification, soon to be enhanced with integration of the Rare Donor Registry.
Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI) – It is maintained by ICMR - National Institute of Immunohaematology (NIIH) with data of over 4,000 carefully screened donors tested for 300+ rare blood markers.
The integration will allow those with rare blood groups to access a centralized system developed under the National Health Mission, providing details on blood banks, blood availability, and blood donation camps across the country.
Supporting Innovations – DNA-based rapid testing kits (multiplex PCR) to detect rare blood types.
Point of Care (POC) testing – For genetic blood disorders like sickle cell anaemia and hemophilia, reducing diagnostic costs.

Significance

It aims to improve accessibility, traceability, and timely availability of rare blood types across India.
It enables faster access to rare blood types like Bombay Blood Group, P-null, Rh-null.
It supports safer transfusions for patients with complex conditions like thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia.
It ensures nationwide traceability and stock management for rare blood donors and blood banks.

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