Maharashtra Appoints Coordinator to Redistribute Surplus Blood, Reduce Wastage

Maharashtra districts identified as under-resourced include Bhandara, Gondia, Nandurbar, Hingoli, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Gadchiroli, and Wardha, where limited storage and fewer blood centres have historically caused shortages.

By: Express News Service

October 13, 2025 03:51 PM IST

2 min read

The initiative will enable real-time tracking and faster, centralised movement of blood units across the state.

Maharashtra has appointed a state-level coordinator to manage the redistribution of surplus blood between districts, ensuring timely supply to shortage-hit regions and reducing expiry-related wastage. (File)

Maharashtra has appointed a state-level coordinator to manage the redistribution of surplus blood between districts, aiming to reduce wastage in some areas and meet shortages in others. The move follows reports of certain regions discarding expired blood while others faced acute supply gaps.

An official from the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) said, “The coordinator will oversee supply according to guidelines and address logistical challenges, including transport and storage issues.”

The coordinator will track blood availability in real time and ensure that excess units from well-stocked districts reach those with higher demand. Districts identified as under-resourced include Bhandara, Gondia, Nandurbar, Hingoli, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Gadchiroli, and Wardha, where limited storage and fewer blood centres have historically caused shortages, officials said.

Blood has a shelf life of 30 to 35 days, making timely transfer crucial. Individual blood banks would arrange transfers independently, often facing hurdles such as unavailable transport or insufficient staff. Centralised oversight is expected to improve efficiency and reduce wastage.

“The bulk movement under the coordinator will make redistribution faster and safer compared to individual transfers organised by separate banks,” said the SBTC official.

Seasonal fluctuations in donations also affect supply, officials said. In Mumbai, collections rise during the start of festival periods but drop sharply afterward, leading to temporary shortages. Earlier circulars had encouraged donation drives to prevent overstocking, but moving surplus blood to deficit areas remained challenging.

State authorities said the initiative is aimed at ensuring blood reaches regions in need promptly, while also minimising expiry-related wastage. Officials highlighted that monitoring storage conditions during transport will be a key part of the coordinator’s responsibilities.
The new system is expected to create a more balanced and responsive network for blood distribution across Maharashtra, improving availability for patients in underserved districts.

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