BY DR DHAVAL HARSUKHLAL FADADU
One in every four maternal deaths in India is caused by excessive blood loss and a lack of blood in hospitals to replenish lost blood. To ensure adequate treatment and to reduce preventable mortality, all healthcare facilities must have safe blood.
In this sphere, Goa has much to look forward to. The State's blood donation numbers are encouraging. The number of blood donors outnumbers the demand for blood and more than 80 per cent of blood donations are voluntary.
Manipal Hospital Goa is equipped with a state-of-the-art blood centre, which provides all the blood components to the patients across Goa. Apart from that Manipal Hospital Blood Centre-Goa is equipped with an apheresis facility which helps in preparing specialised blood products from eligible donors.
World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14 across the world. This day provides an opportunity to thank voluntary blood donors for their major contribution to society.
Every year, 14 million blood units are required in India and only 11 million blood units are collected. There is still a major gap between demand and supply. Due to this, patients requiring regular transfusions have to suffer.
Because of insufficient blood, it becomes difficult for blood transfusion services to ensure the quality and safety of blood. World Blood Donor Day provides an opportunity to encourage new donors and to celebrate regular voluntary blood donors.
The slogan for 2023 World Blood Donor Day is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.” The main focus is on the patients requiring frequent and multiple transfusions.
This slogan also highlights the importance of regular voluntary blood donation as it creates safe blood supply which can be used for all patients during any type of treatment.
The objectives of the World Blood Donor Day celebration are to:
a) thank all individuals who donate blood and encourage more people to donate.
b) highlight the important roles of voluntary regular blood and donations in achieving universal access to safe blood products for all patients
Blood transfusion is pivotal in different types of patient treatment. As blood has no alternative and it comes via blood donation only, it becomes crucial for society to maintain regular voluntary blood donation.
Blood donation has several advantages:
1) It maintains hemoglobin levels.
2) Reduces heart problems.
3) Donor gets a mini-health check-up.
4) Helps in emotional well-being and
5) Donation helps save lives of four patients.
Blood shortages can develop as a result of a number of circumstances, including higher demand during emergencies or natural disasters, reduced donation rates during holidays or vacation times, and difficulties in maintaining an adequate supply of rare blood types.
These shortages underline the significance of regular blood donations in order to keep blood banks open all year. Donate blood, save lives. There is no greater deed than blood donation.
(The writer is consultant and In-charge, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Bank, Manipal Hospitals, Goa.)