The Supreme Court of India has refused to entertain a plea seeking mandatory Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing in all blood banks to ensure infection-free blood supply. The court cited a lack of medical expertise, saying it should not pretend to know medical science.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the petitioner to submit a comprehensive representation to the health secretary, who may take an appropriate decision with the aid of domain experts.
The court observed that the nature of relief sought entails financial implications and every state has its own financial limitations.
The plea was made by the Sarvesham Mangalam Foundation, which sought an order to declare the 'Right to Safe Blood' as an intrinsic facet of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The foundation highlighted a 'systemic and ongoing failure' of the state to protect vulnerable patients, particularly those with Thalassemia, from life-threatening Transfusion Transmissible Infections.
