Karnataka makes NABH or NQAS accreditation mandatory for all blood centres

In a move aimed at bringing uniform quality standards across all blood centres, the State Health Department has made it mandatory for all blood banks in Karnataka to obtain accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) or certification under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) programme within a year.

The directive has been issued through a Government Order dated February 17, 2026, following a proposal from the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) and consultations with NABH authorities.

The proposal stated that ensuring all blood centres in the State function in accordance with the guidelines of the National Blood Transfusion Council, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the Directorate General of Health Services, New Delhi, the Karnataka State Blood Transfusion Council, and the directives of the State and Central governments is the responsibility of the Karnataka State Blood Transfusion Council.

With a view to preventing transfusion-transmitted infections and strengthening the proper management of blood centres, consultations were held with the NABH authorities before the decision was finalised, officials said.

State Deputy Director (Blood Safety) Shakila N. told The Hindu on Thursday that the move was intended to reinforce systems governing blood collection, testing and storage. “Blood banks deal with life-saving services. There are multiple processes involved- from donor screening and blood collection to testing, component separation and storage. Each of these steps must meet defined standards, with proper infrastructure, trained human resources and calibrated equipment,” she said.

260 blood banks in State

Karnataka has around 260 blood banks, including government and private facilities. As per the order, all government blood banks must obtain the NQAS certification. The blood centres functioning under autonomous institutions of the government may opt for either NQAS certification or NABH accreditation. However, all private blood banks, which are not eligible under the government-run NQAS scheme, must obtain the NABH accreditation, according to the order.

All existing blood banks have been given one year to secure the prescribed accreditation. New blood banks will be required to obtain accreditation within one year from the date of receiving their licence.

Monitoring challenges

Existing blood banks have been given one year to comply. Newly licensed blood banks must obtain accreditation within one year from the date of licence. Licences are renewed once every five years, with periodic inspections by district-level officers. “Monitoring private blood banks on a day-to-day basis can be challenging. This move will ensure an additional layer of quality oversight,” Dr. Shakila said.

Referring to reports from other States where lapses in testing allegedly resulted in transfusion-related infections, she said both the Central and State governments were keen to tighten safeguards.

The accreditation process involves documentation of standard operating procedures, infrastructure assessment and compliance checks, and may take eight to ten months. The cost of accreditation will be borne by the respective blood banks. Failure to obtain certification within the stipulated period will result in suspension of licence, the order stated.

Dr. Shakila said joint inspections by the State Drugs Control Department and the Health Department had identified procedural lapses in some blood banks in the past, and action had been initiated wherever necessary. “Safe blood is non-negotiable,” Dr. Shakila added.