Blood donation in India: The problem with exclusion by identity
By: Bhagawati, Rishiraj and Mehortra, Aparna
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Material type: 
BookPublisher: Economic & Political Weekly Description: 60(48), Nov 29, 2025: p.27-29.Subject(s): Public Health, Blood Donation Guidelines, Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM), Transgender Persons, Female Sex Workers, Structural Stigma, Voluntary Blood Donation, Advanced Testing, Constitutional Rights, International Best Practices, Human Rights, Social Justice
In:
Economic & Political WeeklySummary: India’s 2017 and 2024 blood donation guidelines permanently exclude men who have sex with men, transgender persons, and female sex workers, conflating identity with risk. This article argues that such blanket exclusions are unscientific, impractical, and unconstitutional. These measures stigmatise marginalised groups, weaken voluntary blood donation systems, and divert attention from the state’s obligation to implement advanced testing technologies. Situating the guidelines within broader discussions of structural stigma in health systems, the paper contrasts India’s approach with international best practices, highlighting the need for evidence-based, rights-oriented reforms in public health policy. India’s 2017 and 2024 blood donation guidelines permanently exclude men who have sex with men, transgender persons, and female sex workers from donating blood, conflating identity with risk. This article argues that such blanket exclusions are unscientific, impractical, and unconstitutional. They stigmatise marginalised groups, weaken voluntary blood donation, and distract from the state’s obligation for advanced testing. The article situates these guidelines within the conversation on structural stigma in health systems and international best practices around blood donation.- Reproduced
https://www.epw.in/journal/2025/48/commentary/blood-donation-india.html
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Articles
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Indian Institute of Public Administration | 60(48), Nov 29, 2025: p.27-29 | Available | AR137828 |
India’s 2017 and 2024 blood donation guidelines permanently exclude men who have sex with men, transgender persons, and female sex workers, conflating identity with risk. This article argues that such blanket exclusions are unscientific, impractical, and unconstitutional. These measures stigmatise marginalised groups, weaken voluntary blood donation systems, and divert attention from the state’s obligation to implement advanced testing technologies. Situating the guidelines within broader discussions of structural stigma in health systems, the paper contrasts India’s approach with international best practices, highlighting the need for evidence-based, rights-oriented reforms in public health policy. India’s 2017 and 2024 blood donation guidelines permanently exclude men who have sex with men, transgender persons, and female sex workers from donating blood, conflating identity with risk. This article argues that such blanket exclusions are unscientific, impractical, and unconstitutional. They stigmatise marginalised groups, weaken voluntary blood donation, and distract from the state’s obligation for advanced testing. The article situates these guidelines within the conversation on structural stigma in health systems and international best practices around blood donation.- Reproduced
https://www.epw.in/journal/2025/48/commentary/blood-donation-india.html
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