India, July 21 -- Several Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and state-run blood banks are at risk of being closed or downgraded to mere storage centres after failing to meet the annual collection target of 2,000 blood units, as mandated by the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC).

The State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) recently issued notices to about 25-30 such underperforming blood banks across the state, including seven to 10 in Mumbai. In the city, notices have been sent to BMC-run blood banks at Kandivali Shatabdi Hospital, VN Desai Hospital in Santacruz, KB Bhabha Hospital in Bandra, and state-run GT Hospital and Cama Hospital. Some smaller private blood banks have also been flagged.

"Licensed blood centres are exp...