Jaipur, Aug. 1 -- In a move aimed at strengthening the state's safe and quality blood collection system, the Rajasthan government has revised the guidelines governing voluntary blood donation camps, mandating that government blood centres collect 50% of the blood units at all such camps held across the state. Earlier, government blood centres were required to collect only 20% of the blood. The Medical and Health Department has issued a circular notifying the revised guidelines. Principal secretary, medical and health, Gayatri Rathore, said the new arrangement would reduce the need for blood replacement donations while improving the overall availability of blood across Rajasthan. She said the enhanced participation of government blood centres would ensure timely availability of blood during emergencies, sparing patients' families the burden of arranging donors at short notice. Under the revised guidelines, government blood centres will deploy their medical teams to voluntary blood donation camps and undertake blood collection in compliance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The teams will carry the necessary medicines, equipment and other medical supplies required for safe blood collection. The government has also introduced a new provision for camps held more than 200 kilometres away from a government blood centre. Blood collection will be permitted only in single blood bags, a measure intended to maintain blood quality and ensure safe transportation over long distances. Commissioner, food safety and drug control, Dr T Shubhamangala, said all medical officers in charge of blood centres have been directed to strictly implement the revised guidelines. The department has warned that accountability will be fixed on the concerned blood centre if negligence is found in implementing the new system....