Breaking Down the Blood Bank Discovery Service Launch: What You Need to Know
The healthcare landscape in India just got a major digital upgrade! On March 27, 2025, the National Health Authority (NHA) announced the launch of the Blood Bank Discovery Service on UHI-enabled citizen applications. This new service, built on CDAC’s e-RaktKosh database, promises real-time access to blood bank information from over 4,000 locations across India—a potential game-changer for emergency healthcare.
But what does this mean for citizens, app developers, and the broader healthcare ecosystem? Let’s break it down.
Is This Launch Authentic? The Validation Check
The announcement comes directly from @AyushmanNHA, the official handle of the National Health Authority, on X (formerly Twitter) on March 26, 2025, at 11:18 PM PDT. The post stated:
“We are excited to announce the launch of the Blood Bank Discovery Service on UHI-enabled citizen applications. Leveraging CDAC’s e-RaktKosh repository of 4,000+ blood banks, this service enhances accessibility and streamlines emergency support.”
This claim aligns with the Unified Health Interface (UHI) initiative under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)—India’s government-backed push for digitized healthcare services. Here’s why it checks out:
✔ Official Source: AyushmanNHA is the official body managing ABDM and has a track record of credible updates.✔ Proven Platform: e-RaktKosh has been a trusted blood bank management system since 2016, used by over 4,263 licensed blood banks (as per the Directorate General of Health Services, 2024).✔ Logical Progression: The UHI ecosystem has already integrated teleconsultation, e-pharmacy, and hospital services—adding blood banks is a natural expansion.✔ Supporting Developments: Just recently, Maharashtra integrated 395 blood banks into e-RaktKosh on March 12, 2025 [Hindustan Times].
No red flags, no unverified claims—this launch is real and happening.
How Does the Blood Bank Discovery Service Work?
This service bridges the gap between patients and blood banks, leveraging e-RaktKosh’s real-time data.
Here’s what it does:
✅ Find Blood Fast: Locate nearby blood banks and check live availability of blood groups and platelets.✅ Covers Public & Private Banks: Includes government hospitals (e.g., AIIMS, Safdarjung) and private hospitals (e.g., Apollo, Fortis).✅ Faster Emergency Response: No more frantic phone calls—critical blood info is now at your fingertips.✅ Part of ABDM’s Digital Push: Connects with other UHI services, including e-prescriptions and digital health records.
Considering India’s annual demand for 14.6 million blood units (as per the National Blood Transfusion Council), this initiative could be a lifesaver.
How Can Citizen-Facing Apps Integrate This Service?
If you run a health app, e-government platform, or wellness startup, this is your chance to enhance your platform’s value.
Step 1: Register on ABDM SandboxVisit abdm.gov.in/sandbox and sign up as an application developer.
Step 2: Submit App DetailsProvide your app’s name, purpose, and contact details. Make sure your tech team understands API integrations.
Step 3: Integrate with UHIUse ABDM’s open APIs to connect your app to the e-RaktKosh repository. The sandbox environment lets you test features before going live.
Step 4: Get Approval & Go LiveApproval usually takes 1–2 weeks. Once done, your app will provide real-time blood bank access to its users.
Step 5: Support & MaintenanceNeed help? Contact ABDM’s support team at
[email protected] or call 1800-11-4477.
Cost? Free! The ABDM’s open-source model makes integration accessible.
Why Integrate?
Add life-saving features to your app.
Join India’s fast-growing digital health sector (expanding 10–12% annually, per CRISIL).
Increase user engagement and trust in your platform.
For citizens, no registration is needed—just download a UHI-enabled app when the official list is released.
Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know
✔ This is a verified government-backed launch—it’s real and happening.
✔ Live on 8 apps, with more onboarding soon.
✔ Uses CDAC’s e-RaktKosh platform, covering 4,000+ blood banks nationwide.
✔ Aims to reduce emergency response time and improve healthcare accessibility.
✔ Open for app developers to integrate via ABDM’s UHI sandbox.
Expect more updates soon, including which apps are live and how users are reacting. Until then, keep an eye on @AyushmanNHA for official news, and if you’re a developer, jump in now at abdm.gov.in/sandbox!
Saving Lives, One Click at a TimeImagine being in a medical emergency where a loved one desperately needs a blood transfusion, but you have no idea where to find a nearby blood bank with the required blood type. This stressful situation is all too common, but there's good news—technology is stepping in to bridge the gap.
The launch of the Blood Bank Discovery Service, now available on UHI-enabled citizen-facing applications, is a revolutionary step in digital healthcare. This new service connects users to over 4,000+ blood banks across India, ensuring access to real-time blood availability information from both private and public blood banks. Let’s dive deeper into what this means for you and how this initiative is reshaping healthcare accessibility.
What is the Blood Bank Discovery Service?
The Blood Bank Discovery Service is a real-time blood bank locator that allows users to find nearby blood banks and check the availability of required blood types instantly. Developed using CDAC's e-RaktKosh repository, this service integrates seamlessly with citizen-facing healthcare applications, enhancing the efficiency of blood donation and emergency blood transfusion processes.
The platform is already live on eight leading citizen-facing applications and is set to expand further, ensuring faster, more efficient access to critical healthcare resources.
Why This Matters: Addressing the Blood Donation Crisis in India
India faces a significant blood shortage, with thousands of patients struggling to find compatible donors every year. The traditional method of locating blood—calling multiple hospitals or posting urgent requests on social media—is time-consuming and unreliable.
Here’s why the Blood Bank Discovery Service is a game-changer:
Immediate Access to Blood Availability: Users can instantly check the availability of required blood types in nearby banks.
Efficient Emergency Response: Saves crucial time during medical emergencies.
Reduction in Black Market Blood Trading: Eliminates the need for patients to seek unauthorized sources.
Improved Transparency: Provides direct access to verified data from government and private blood banks.
How Does the Blood Bank Discovery Service Work?
The process is simple, user-friendly, and accessible to everyone:
Download a UHI-enabled Citizen Application: Ensure that the app you’re using supports the Blood Bank Discovery feature.
Enter Your Location: Allow the app to access your location or manually enter it.
Search for Blood Banks: The app will show a list of nearby blood banks with real-time blood availability information.
Contact the Blood Bank: Get details about availability, timings, and requirements for donation or collection.
Visit and Collect the Blood: Complete the process smoothly with verified information.
How You Can Contribute: Become a Lifesaver
This initiative isn’t just about receiving blood—it’s also about giving back. If you're healthy, consider becoming a regular blood donor. Here’s how you can help:
Register as a donor on blood bank platforms.
Encourage friends and family to donate regularly.
Participate in blood donation drives organized by hospitals and NGOs.
Use the Blood Bank Discovery Service to find blood banks that need urgent donations.
Your contribution can save multiple lives and ensure that no one has to face a shortage in times of need.
What’s the Latest as of March 27, 2025?
Service Rollout: Live on 8 citizen-facing apps (names not disclosed yet). Likely candidates include UMANG and MyGov, given their past ABDM integrations. Public Buzz: Trending hashtags like #AyushmanBharat, #ABDM, and #BloodBank are gaining traction, with users celebrating faster emergency access. App Developer Call: The NHA’s follow-up post at 11:20 PM PDT urges more apps to join the UHI ecosystem. Press Coverage Pending: As of 2:30 PM IST (March 27, 2025), no major newspapers (like The Hindu or Times of India) have released detailed reports—but expect coverage soon.
This is a soft launch with a clear goal: onboard more apps and scale up accessibility.
What’s Next for Blood Bank Discovery Services?
With healthcare digitization on the rise, the UHI ecosystem is expected to expand, integrating more services like:
Plasma and Platelet Availability: For critical conditions like dengue and leukemia.
Automated Blood Donation Reminders: Personalized notifications for eligible donors.
Integration with Hospitals: Ensuring seamless coordination between hospitals and blood banks.
By continuously improving and expanding, this service has the potential to revolutionize healthcare accessibility in India.
Major Hospitals &
Blood Banks in Kolkata
|
Hospital / Blood Bank Name
|
Type
|
Address / Area
|
Contact Number
|
|
SSKM Hospital
|
Govt
|
—
|
033 2204 1100
|
|
NRS Medical College
|
Govt
|
138 AJC Bose Road, Kolkata - 700014
|
033 2265 3214 / 033 22860140
|
|
Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan
|
Private/Trust
|
—
|
033 2475 3631 / 033 2475 3636
|
|
National Medical College
|
Govt
|
—
|
033 2289 7122
|
|
R.G. Kar Medical College
|
Govt
|
1, Khudiram Bose Sarani, Kolkata - 700004
|
033 2555 7675
|
|
Peerless Hospital
|
Private
|
360, Pancha Sayar Rd, Sahid Smrity Colony, Kolkata
|
033 2462 2394 / 4011 1222
|
|
Medical College Kolkata
|
Govt
|
88 College Street, Kolkata - 700073
|
033 2241 4901
|
|
Bangur Hospital
|
Govt
|
—
|
033 2473 3354
|
|
Central Blood Bank (Maniktala)
|
Blood Bank
|
205, Vivekananda Rd, Kolkata – 700006
|
033 2351 0619 / 9433892164
|
|
People's Blood Bank
|
Blood Bank
|
—
|
033 2455 5164
|
|
Lions Blood Bank
|
Blood Bank
|
—
|
033 2248 5780
|
|
Life Care Blood Bank
|
Blood Bank
|
—
|
033 2284 6940
|
|
Desun Hospital
|
Private
|
EM Bypass, Kasba Gol Park, Kolkata-107
|
033 2443 4567
|
|
Apollo Gleneagles Hospital
|
Private
|
58, Canal Circular Rd., Kolkata-700054
|
033 2320 3040
|
|
AMRI Hospitals (Dhakuria, Salt Lake)
|
Private
|
Salt Lake & Dhakuria
|
033 2440 4803 / 033 6680 0000
|
|
Medica Superspecialty Hospital
|
Private
|
Mukundapur, Kolkata-700099
|
033 2426 4901
|
|
Ruby General Hospital
|
Private
|
Kasba Gol Park, EM Bypass, Kolkata-700107
|
033 2442 6091
|
|
B.M. Birla Heart Research Centre
|
Private
|
1/1, National Library Avenue, Kolkata-27
|
033 2456 7890
|
|
R.N. Tagore International Inst. of Cardiac Sci
|
Private
|
124, Mukundapur EM Bypass, Kolkata-99
|
033 2436 126
|
|
Fortis Hospital
|
Private
|
730, Anandapur, EM Bypass, Kolkata
|
033 6628 4444
|
More Details:
|
Hospital / Centre Name
|
Type
|
Address
|
Contact Number
|
|
Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata
|
Specialty
|
185/1, A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata-700017
|
033 22869999
|
|
Eye Care & Research Centre
|
Eye Specialty
|
12A, Biresh Guha Street, Kolkata-700017
|
033 2287 2809 / 2280 8545
|
|
Care & Cure Hospital
|
Private
|
Samarendranath Colony, P.O. Nabapally, Barasat,
Kolkata-700126
|
033 2542 6732
|
|
Dr. Nihar Munshi Eye Foundation
|
Eye Specialty
|
1/3, Dover Place, Gariahat, Kolkata-700019
|
033 24619769 / 24618733
|
|
Ashoke Laboratory
|
Diagnostic
|
390 B, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata-68
|
033 2472 4068
|
|
Neon Health Care & Research Institute Ltd.
|
Diagnostic
|
S 16, Kasba Industrial Estate, Kolkata-107
|
033 2443 1891 / 1892
|
|
Pulse Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd.
|
Diagnostic
|
75, Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata-29
|
033 2454 6142
|
|
Mediclue Research & Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd.
|
Diagnostic
|
68, Chowringhee Rd, Kolkata-20
|
033 2241 5907
|
|
Suraksha Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd. (Keshtopur)
|
Diagnostic
|
Keshtopur Clinic, Kolkata-101
|
033 2941 8566
|
|
North City Diagnostic Centre Private Ltd.
|
Diagnostic
|
35A, Canal West Road, Kolkata-700004
|
033 25546221 / 25546225 / 25432374 / 66134600
|
|
Eastern Diagnostics & Medical Centre Ltd.
|
Diagnostic
|
13C, Mirza Galib Street, Kolkata-700016
|
—
|
|
Doyen Diagnostic and Research Foundation
|
Diagnostic
|
59, Bhupen Bose Avenue, Kolkata-700004
|
033 25558148 / 25301597
|
|
Pathowynd Clinical Laboratory
|
Diagnostic
|
29A, Balaram Ghosh Street, Kolkata-700004
|
033 25545397
|
|
Calcutta Heart Research Centre
|
Cardiac Specialty
|
114B, Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata-700029
|
033 24546083
|
|
Charnock Hospital & Research Centre
|
Private
|
VIP Road & New Town Approach Rd, Teghoria,
Kolkata-700059
|
033 40500500
|
|
ECO Hospital & Diagnostics
|
Private/Diagnostic
|
Jessore Road, Barasat, Kolkata-700124
|
033 25626854
|
|
Mission of Mercy Hospital and Research Centre
|
Private
|
125/1, Park Street, Kolkata-700017
|
033 30217703 / 9836008485
|
|
Rotary Narayana Netralaya
|
Eye Specialty
|
CN-5, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091
|
033 23673312 / 23673314
|
|
Susrut Eye Foundation & Research Centre
|
Eye Specialty
|
HB 36/A/1, Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700106
|
033 23580201 / 23582334
|
|
Bhattacharyya Orthopaedics & Related Research Centre
|
Ortho Specialty
|
Narayanpur, Rajarhat-Gopalpur, Kolkata-700136
|
033 25732597 / 25732220
|
|
D.M. Hospital Pvt. Ltd.
|
Private
|
113, James Long Sarani, Kolkata-700063
|
033 24971973 / 9748414184
|
|
Barrackpore Medicare & Recovery Centre Ltd.
|
Private
|
6/6, B.T. Road, Talpukur, Kolkata-700123
|
033 25014947 / 9831039020
|
|
GD Diabetes Institute & Speciality Clinic
|
Diabetes Clinic
|
139A, Lenin Sarani, Kolkata-700013
|
033 22255030 / 22255031
|
|
Silverline Eye Hospital
|
Eye Specialty
|
396, Prince Anwar Shah Rd, Kolkata-700045
|
9830147894
|
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
1. What is the Blood Bank Discovery Service?
It is a digital service that helps users locate nearby blood banks and check real-time blood availability through UHI-enabled citizen applications.
2. How can I access this service?
Download and use any UHI-enabled citizen-facing application that supports blood bank discovery.
3. Is the information on blood availability accurate?
Yes, it is sourced from CDAC’s e-RaktKosh, which provides real-time data from 4,000+ registered blood banks across India.
4. Can I donate blood using this service?
While the primary feature is blood bank discovery, many applications also provide information on donation drives and requirements.
5. Is there a cost to use this service?
No, the service is completely free for all users.
6. Can I find rare blood types using this service?
Yes! The database includes all blood types, including rare blood groups.
7. How can citizen-facing applications integrate this feature?
Organizations can join the UHI ecosystem and integrate the Blood Bank Discovery Service to provide better healthcare accessibility to their users.
8. How can I access the Blood Bank Discovery Service?
You’ll need to download a UHI-enabled citizen application once the official list is released.
9. Which apps currently support this service?
As of now, 8 apps are integrated, though names haven’t been disclosed yet. Likely candidates include UMANG and MyGov.
10. Is the information updated in real time?
Yes, the service uses e-RaktKosh’s live repository, ensuring accurate and up-to-date blood bank data.
11. How do I register my app to integrate this service?
12. Will this service be available in rural areas?
Yes, but availability depends on internet access and app adoption in those regions.
13. Is there a cost for users or app developers?
No, the service is free for both users and citizen-facing applications.
This is just the beginning—stay tuned for more updates as India’s digital healthcare revolution unfolds!
A Step Toward a Healthier India
The launch of the Blood Bank Discovery Service is a monumental leap toward making life-saving healthcare information accessible to all. Whether you’re someone in need or looking to donate, this platform ensures that blood is just one search away.
If you haven’t yet, explore UHI-enabled applications and see how this service can make a difference. Because in the end, a small step in digital healthcare innovation can mean the world to someone fighting for their life.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. And most importantly, be a lifesaver!
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