In a major step toward strengthening blood safety in India, thalassaemia patients and advocacy groups have hailed the introduction of the National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025 in both Houses of Parliament. The proposed legislation promises a long-awaited overhaul of the country’s fragmented and inconsistently regulated blood transfusion ecosystem — a lifeline for thousands living with thalassaemia.

For patients like 23-year-old Suneha Paul from West Bengal, the news brought a surge of emotion. Suneha, diagnosed with beta thalassaemia at just two months old, has depended on blood transfusions every fortnight her entire life. At the age of eight, she contracted HIV through infected blood — a trauma she still carries.

“When my friend called to tell me about the Bill, I felt mixed emotions,” she reflected. “If this had happened earlier, maybe I wouldn’t be battling HIV today. But it is better late than never. I urge all Members of Parliament to pass this Bill quickly — patients like me face stigma and hardship every day for no fault of ours.”

The Thalassaemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG) has welcomed the introduction of parallel Bills by Lok Sabha MP Shri Parshottambhai Rupala and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, calling the move a “historic milestone” for India’s thalassaemia community.

If enacted, the legislation will create a National Blood Transfusion Authority to regulate the entire blood supply chain — from collection and testing to storage, distribution, and transfusion. It also mandates uniform national standards, compulsory registration of all blood centres, strengthened haemovigilance, promotion of voluntary blood donation, and strict penalties for unsafe or non-compliant practices.

Experts believe the Bill could transform patient care.

“Strengthening the governance of blood transfusion services is essential for ensuring safety and public trust,” said Prof. N.K. Ganguly, former Director General of ICMR. “I hope the proposed Bill provides a much-needed, science-based regulatory framework.”

TPAG Member Secretary Anubha Taneja Mukherjee emphasised that for thalassaemia patients, safe blood is not optional — it is a lifeline.

“These Bills finally recognise the urgency of a unified national framework,” she said. “We urge Parliament to pass this law at the earliest. The safety, dignity, and future of patients simply cannot wait. Patient representation must also be included in the regulatory bodies to ensure real-life experiences guide policy.”

Deepak Chopra, President of Thalassemics India, called the Bill a “transformational shift,” noting that patients have long suffered due to inconsistent quality and systemic gaps in blood safety.

Across India, thalassaemics echoed similar sentiments.

“Blood transfusions have shaped my routine, my strength, and my challenges,” said Nehal Dhingra, who has lived with Thalassaemia Major since age two. “The National Safe Blood Bill brings hope for a safer tomorrow for thousands of us.”

TPAG stressed that safe blood is a fundamental right and that the proposed legislation represents a move from piecemeal regulation to a modern, comprehensive law aligned with global safety standards. The group urged lawmakers to prioritise its passage during the ongoing Winter Session, warning that delays would continue to expose patients to avoidable risks.

“For many of us, this Bill is not just reform — it is survival,” said Suneha.