Overview

• The Central Health Ministry has approved plans to merge the ICMR-NIIH’s Rare Donor Registry into e-Rakt Kosh, offering nationwide access to specialized blood profiles.
• ICMR-NIIH has screened over 4,000 donors across four major institutes for more than 300 rare antigens to populate the national registry.
• Latest screenings have identified more than 1,000 individuals lacking common antigens and 128 ultra-rare blood group donors.
• A DNA-based multiplex PCR kit developed by ICMR enables rapid and cost-effective identification of rare blood types at the point of care.
• The unified platform aims to enhance transfusion support for patients with thalassemia, sickle cell disorders and pregnancy-related complications in India.