Supreme Court declines plea to make nucleic acid tests compulsory at blood banks
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Supreme Court declined a plea to make Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT) compulsory at blood banks, directing the petitioner to approach state health secretaries for expert-led decisions.
Background
The Supreme Court ruled that it lacks the medical expertise to mandate NAT for blood transfusion safety due to associated costs. The petitioner, Sarvesham Mangalam Foundation, was granted liberty to make representations to state health secretaries.
Facts for Prelims
- PostState Health Secretaries: The designated authorities to receive representations regarding blood bank safety protocols.
- FactThe court cited lack of medical expertise and high costs as reasons for declining the mandate.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the challenges in balancing the cost-effectiveness of healthcare infrastructure with the necessity of advanced diagnostic protocols in ensuring blood transfusion safety.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory bottleneck: Judicial hesitation to mandate high-cost diagnostic tests due to lack of technical expertise
- Public health trade-off: Balancing the high per-unit cost of NAT against the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections
- Federal friction: Decentralized authority of state health secretaries in determining medical safety protocols
Keywords: Public Health Policy · Diagnostic Protocols · Cost-Benefit Analysis · Regulatory Oversight · Transfusion Safety
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