Blood group information absent in driving licence
Activists call for making health-related details mandatory
The driving licences in Telangana state lack the most important and basic detail, the blood group. The option was included in the Motor Vehicle Act, with the intention that it would be useful in case riders met with an accident. However, authorities say, that is not being implemented by the state because the information is “optional.”
Experts say, in emergencies, where an accident victim is unconscious and away from family, then the licence can save not only time but also life, if the blood group is provided.
Representations by social activists have proved futile. Mr Sathi Reddy, a social activist, said, “We have given representations regarding the inclusion of blood group in the driving licences even in the past, but there have been no moves from the authorities. It is the one basic information that is needed by any hospital when an accident victim is taken there.”
Mr Vinod K. Kanumala, Chief Functionary, Indian Federation of Road Safety, pointed out that there was a problem with the designing of the application itself, as the crucial information has been marked optional. “These kind of health-related details are mandatory,” he said
“In some foreign countries, they mention the entire health status of the individual, not just blood group, so that proper medical care would be given to him at the time of emergencies,” he added.
Dr Harikrishna of Apollo hospital, said, “If we know the blood group of the patient, then it would be advantageous in emergency situations. In normal cases anyway, we cross-check and determine the group, even if the patient states his/her blood group on his own.”
An accident victim, Jeetender Surana, said, “At the time of obtaining learning licences itself, there should be a medical camp which should test a blood sample and determine the group and include the authentic details in the licence, which helps in saving many lives.”
When the Transport department was asked why the space for the blood group column was empty, the Transport department’s Joint Transport commissioner, Mr C. Ramesh said, “Anyway it is optional here. It is not mandatory according to the Motor Vehicles Act, so there is no mention of it. And the power to make it mandatory lies with the Central government.”