Last Updated on January 14, 2024 by The Health Master
Precautions and safety to be observed during blood transfusion
As C-19 engulfed India during the second wave, 29-year-old Laxmi Sahay from Gurgaon, a thalassemia patient, was worried for her life.
She knew that accessing an operational blood Bank / Centre during the lockdown would be difficult as the one she routinely visited had also closed due to shortage of blood.
Pratham Singh also faced a similar ordeal while accessing treatment for his father. Due to a lack of functional blood bank / Centre in his hometown Mohali, they had to temporarily shift to Delhi.
Laxmi and Pratham’s stories are examples of what several patients in need of blood transfusion underwent during those difficult times.
Despite the advances made in the health sector, India is still far from ensuring blood safety and access.
Without a resolution in sight, it can put lives at risk for people suffering from debilitating blood disorders, like thalassemia and cancer.
Accessibility to safe blood transfusions became precarious during the pandemic due to unavailability of resources.
There was an acute shortage faced by blood banks / centres, owing to increased demands and fewer donors. Fearing the virus and restrictions, it was extremely difficult for blood banks / centres to organize blood donation camps and manage resources.
The crisis also forced doctors to make difficult decisions in most cases and postpone transfusions.
Ensuring the safety of donated blood is paramount
Advances in the field of medicine and technology have made it easier for people to access quality blood products.
However, despite recommended guidelines, we continue to see poor testing and screening methodologies which increase the risk of transmission-related illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that:
Donated blood must be checked via four antibody tests to screen for Hepatitis B, C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis.
These tests, along with modern serological testing standards, like nucleic acid test (NAT) testing and better donor selection are crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of donated blood.
Voluntary blood donation must also be ramped up. In India, less than 1% of the population donates blood—which is much lower than WHO requirements.
Amongst these, many donors are found ineligible. Since blood cannot be stored indefinitely and there is a constant requirement, we need to bolster awareness campaigns around the same.
Way forward to battle India’s blood shortage
Blood donation is a life-sustaining gift with no other alternative. While there has been an uptick in donations, the demand is still high.
Opening more blood banks / Centres and getting more people to donate blood voluntarily is imperative. Individuals between 18-65 years, with a healthy weight and haemoglobin level, must donate blood voluntarily every three months.
Maintaining safety around the collection and storage of donated blood is also crucial. Donors must always ensure that while volunteering, they choose a licensed blood bank / centres and follow standard guidelines to avoid inappropriate and unsafe blood transfusion practices.
Access to safe and clean blood is indispensable for a strong healthcare system. We cannot afford to have a myopic viewpoint on the same.
Government bodies, think tanks, and private stakeholders also need to adopt sustainable approaches to make clean blood available and ensure adequate supply in rural and urban settings.
Blood banks / centres and hospitals must also be upgraded with the latest technologies and diagnostic standards.
The use of NAT screening should be mandated at the earliest to ensure that every patient has easy and timely access to safe blood.
By Dr Pravas Mishra
The author is Director, Haematology, Haemato-Oncology, Max Hospital Patparganj
(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and The Health Master does not necessarily subscribe to it. The Health Master shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person / organisation directly or indirectly)
Procedure to obtain license for Blood Centre (Blood Bank)
Latest Notifications: Blood Centre / Bank
Blood Centre (Bank) – requirements at a glance
FAQs – on Blood Bank / Centre (Part-1)
FAQs – on Blood Bank / Centre (Part-2)
FAQs – on Blood Bank / Centre (Part-3)
FAQs – on Blood Bags and its Testing
Mandatory requirements for Blood donation camps
FAQs on Legal Metrology & Blood Bags
Pharmacopoeial status of Blood and its components
Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Blood Clots
Adequate and safe blood transfusion for all: Article
Why India needs more blood donors: Article
Pharma Industry urges IPC regarding DT time of Soft Gelatin Capsules: Read
USFDA issues draft norms on Antibacterial therapies
Online sale of medicines will promote these issues related to Medicines
Allow private practice or 50% non-practice allowance: Doctors
Drug recall: Over 6 lakh bottles of Blood Pressure treatment tablets recalled
Drug alert: 41 out of 1233 samples declared as NSQ in May 2022
Side effects of painkillers: Matter sent to CDSCO
USFDA issues 8 Observations to Panacea Biotec for Baddi Facility
Why has aspirin advice for heart protection changed?
Latest Notifications regarding Pharmaceuticals
For informative videos on Hospitals / Doctors, click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos by The Health Master, click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos on Medical Store / Pharmacy, click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos on the news regarding Pharma / Medical Devices / Cosmetics / Homoeopathy etc., click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos on consumer awareness, click on the below YouTube icon:
