Blood donation camp held at a CGHS dispensary in Sarojni Nagar on 08.09.2007

''JEETE JEETE RAKT DAAN, JAATE JAATE NETRA DAAN''

Blood donation camp held at a CGHS dispensary in Sarojni Nagar

''Jeete jeete rakt daan, jaate jaate netra daan,'' said Dr Anita Nanda, director of CGHS, at the inauguration ceremony for a blood donation camp on Saturday, exhorting all those present to follow the maxim. The camp, organised by Dr Anita Jain from CGHS with the help of Indian Red Cross Society, was the first of its kind to be organised at CGHS. It was conducted at a dispensary in Sarojni Nagar from 10.30 am till 2.00 pm.
What was distinctive about the camp was that a contingent of 15 firemen from turned up to donate their blood. Chief fire officer R C Sharma was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony that kick-started the camp.
Around fifty people had registered for the blood donation camp in advance. ''The number will probably go up to 70,'' said Dr Jain. ''I expect people from the area, from CGHS and from among our beneficiaries to donate blood as well.''
Finally, around 70 people did turn up, although 16 were rejected for various medical reasons. Doctors stressed the fact that donating blood was not harmful. ''An average person has around 5-6 liters of blood in his or her body,'' said Dr Nanda. ''Out of that we are asking you to donate only 250ml.''
Officials from Red Cross asserted that blood donation needed to go up in India. ''Less than 1 percent of the Indian population donate blood, as compared to at least 5 percent in other countries,'' said an official. ''The situation here needs drastic improvement.''
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Dr Marwah

National Voluntary Blood Donation Day

The Supreme Court Judgment on Blood Transfusion services

The Supreme Court of India in an epoch making judgment on 4th January, 1996, on a Public Interest Litigation petition filed by Common Cause (a voluntary organization in Delhi), directed the Union of India and the State Government to take a number of steps towards revamping the entire Blood Transfusion Services addressing various critical areas.

Some of the major directives of the Supreme Court are:

 To establish forthwith a National Council of Blood Transfusion at the Central, State and Union Territory level, as a society registered under Societies Act 1860 with funds provided by the Central as well as respective State and UT governments and also empowering the councils to raise funds from outside the sources.

 To license all blood banks.

 To stop the professional blood donating system.

 To secure a grant of 100% exemption from Income Tax to the donors either made to National or State Blood donation councils.

 To consider the advisability of enacting a separate legislation for regulating the collection, processing, storage, distribution and operation of blood banks in the country.

Follow-up Action
 

 The Supreme Court judgment provided a good opportunity to reorganize the Blood Transfusion Service. As a result, the Government has already taken the following activities.

 National Blood Transfusion Council and State Blood Transfusion Council have been formed and have started functioning.

 Licenses have been issued to Blood Banks and no unlicensed blood banks are permitted to provide Blood transfusion services.

 Professional blood donating activities have been completely banned w.e.f. 1st January, 1998 in the country.

 Permission has been granted to exempt Income Tax for the donation either to National or State Blood Transfusion Councils. Suitable revisions in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules are under the process.

Dr Marwah

National Voluntary Blood Donation Day

Appropriate clinical use of Blood
 

It is felt that country facing an overall acute shortage of blood.

There is no scientific method to assess the requirement of blood in the country as a whole.

The gap between demand and supply of blood is continuously widening due to mushrooming of super specialist hospitals in the urban areas and continuous inappropriate use of blood.

 It has been estimated that approximately 30 per cent transfusions are either unnecessary or wasteful.

For the purpose of reducing the wasteful use of blood, NACO has already set up 40 component separation units all over the country.

The doctors and technicians working in the component labs have been trained at KEM Hospital, Mumbai.

A National guideline for appropriate use of blood has been prepared and widely circulated.

One plasma Fractionation Training Center has already been set up at KEM Hospital, Mumbai and additional units are proposed to be set up at Delhi, Chennai and Calcutta.

--
Dr Marwah

National Voluntary Blood Donation Day- 1st of October

Voluntary Blood Donation – A Humane Act

 

Nothing is comparable to the preciousness of human blood. In spite of the rapid and remarkable conquests of medical science today, there is no factory that manufactures blood. It is only in human beings that human blood is made and circulated. For those who require blood for saving their lives, sharing from other fellows is the only means. Hence, donation – rather voluntary donation is the only way of accumulating blood at safe storage to meet emergency requirements for saving lives. In times of accidental injuries that shed huge amounts of blood and also in various types of surgical operations for medical treatments, we require blood for transfusion. Unavailability of blood may cost lives. Hence, importance of blood donation is tremendous. This is the greatest gift one can do for the mankind. Voluntary Blood Donors are saviors of mankind. If someone really loves oneself and other fellow beings, the only way to express it is to donate blood voluntarily.

The role of blood in a living creature is unique. The different components of blood have different activities to perform. Red Blood Cells (RBC) transports oxygen throughout the body, White Blood Cells (WBC) constitutes body's defense mechanism, Platelets helps in stopping bleeding and Plasma transports proteins including anti-bodies. Blood also evacuates wastes products from all organs of the body. There are four main blood groups i.e. O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common and therefore the most in demand.

The average amount of blood present in an adult is 4-5 liters or about 8% of the body weight. Life cycles of the different components are short. The RBC lives about 120 days while white cells last about 3-9 days. New blood cells are constantly generated in the body. A person can donate blood 168 times during his 18 to 60 years. The quantity of blood present in 1kg of body weight is 76ml for males and 66 ml for females. Out of this 8 ml per kg body weight is donatable. Males can donate for every three months while females for every four months. All donated blood is recuperated within 21 days. At one time only 350 ml will be taken from a donor in not more than 20 minutes time including time for rest and refreshment. Blood donation is harmless and safe in the body. Rather, it is a social responsibility. The donor is donating for it as it will be used in saving lives of his fellow beings. He himself may use the same in his own need. So today's donor may be tomorrow's recipient.

Fear of needles, fear of pain, fear of sight of blood, fear of future weakness, fear of possible ill effects, objection from elders, ignorance and illiteracy etc. are all reasons for many people who are hesitant in donating blood. All these myths and misconceptions are to be removed in order that adequate amount of blood is made available at blood banks for saving the patients.

 The significance of observance of a day like the National Voluntary Blood Donation day on 1st October every year is to mobilize voluntary blood donors by motivating the potential donors to motivate for the cause of the society. Egoism in individuals is replaced with altruism. The former represents the motive behind those who seek their own ends and the later connotes individuals who always seek social ends.

--
Dr Marwah

Blood Donation - Overview - on National Voluntary Blood Donation Day - 1st of October

Blood Donation - Overview

 
"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world"
         ~William Shakespeare
Blood donation is a procedure by which an individual donates blood voluntarily either for immediate use in a transfusion or to be stored for later use.

The process of giving blood involves -

 Screening the donor for infectious diseases.This is mandatory in most blood banks across the world.

 The actual process of donation where the donor goes through the procedure of donating blood.

 A brief recovery period.

These steps apply applies to both whole blood donations and also for the donation of blood components. Blood donations may be scheduled either at hospitals or at a local convenient location.Mass blood collection or blood donation drive may be sponsored by NGOs or other voluntary groups.

Blood Donation – Precautions

It is advisable for blood donors to follow some guidelines before donating blood as the procedure might temporarily weaken them.

Some of the common guidelines to be followed before blood donation are as follows-

 Drink extra water and fluids

 Avoid caffeinated beverages

 Eat well to reduce the risk of reactions to donation. Eating foods high in iron is advisable.This is especially true for recently-menstruated women.

It is important to follow the advise of the local blood bank before blood donation. The guidelines may vary according to the blood banks and their requirements. Some countries require donors to fast before donation, because of specific screening methods.

Blood Donation – Process

 
The following steps are involved in blood donation-

 The donor lies in a supine posture on a comfortable bench and extends an arm

 A tourniquet is wrapped around the arm

 The inner part of the arm,near the elbow, is disinfected

 A needle is inserted into the medial anticubital vein

 Blood flows into a collection bag through the needle and a tube

 The donor is required to squeeze a rubber ball during the procedure to hasten the flow of blood

 Typically 450-500 ml is drawn during a single attempt

 

 

 
 Blood donation may involve -

 Whole blood donation - Here the entire blood is collected in the manner described earlier

 Apheresis - Certain blood components are collected from the donor to be transfsed or stored. Apheresis involves the collection of blood from the donor and sepearing the blood components from the plasma through centrifugation.Only therequired components are used for storage or transfusion.The rest are returned back to the donor.This may take slightly longer time than the conventional whole blood donation.

Blood Donation - Ideal Donors

 
Not everyone is suitable for blood donation. An ideal blood donor needs to meet certain criteria

An ideal candidate for blood donation should -

 Be a healthy individual who is 18 years or above.

 Weigh at least 45 kg.

 Have a blood pressure in the range of 160/90 to 110/60.

 Have a normal pulse rate between 60 to 100 per minute.

 

Blood Donation – Refrain

 
Certain category of individuals are strictly forbidden from donating blood.

Do not donate if-

 You have tested positive for HIV or hepatitis

 You are an intravenous drug abuser,

 You have hemophilia or any blood clotting disorder

 You had a heart attack in the last six to twelve months.

 You had a recent attack of malaria recently

 You had received blood, plasma or other blood components during the last year.

 You had cardiac surgery in the last year

 You are taking cardiovascular medicine

 You. are pregnant

 You had an abortion recently

 You had received chemotherapy / radiation for cancer treatment.

 You are at high risk of contracting the HIV.

Blood Donation - World Blood Donor Day

 
'World Blood Donor Day' provides a special opportunity to thank all the voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.

 
who discovered the ABO blood group system. The World Blood Donor Day provides a special opportunity to thank all the voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.

14 June has been selected as World Blood Donor Day by three major organizations working for voluntary non-remunerated blood donation-

1. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
2. The International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and
3. The International Society of Blood Transfusion.

The Day has been endorsed by the World Health Organization, which co-sponsors the event. Together these organizations represent 192 Member States, 181 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 50 national voluntary blood donor organizations and blood transfusion specialists throughout the world.

Several millions owe their existence to people they may never meet-people who donate their blood without any reward or remuneration. Despite these noble acts by many, 'safe' blood is denied to the overwhelming majority of the world's population. Of the 80 million units of blood that are donated each year, only 38% is collected in developing countries, where a staggering 82% of the world's population live. Several third world countries are still dependent on paid donors although the vast majority of donated blood comes from family members or friends of patients.

Evidence from around the world bear witness to the fact that voluntary, unpaid blood donation is the corner- stone to safe blood supply, because of the reduced possibility of transmitting potentially life-threatening organisms, such as the HIV and hepatitis viruses. World Blood Donor Day endeavors to honor the stalwarts who donate safe blood, the precious gift of life.

 

Blood Donation – Conclusion

It is important to draw attention to the importance of voluntary blood donation and to encourage more people to become regular blood donors.

There are several volunteers who donate blood without gratification, save the knowledge that their action has saved lives. It must be emphasized that voluntary non-remunerated blood donors are the foundation of a safe blood supply and the youth of today should draw inspiration from these selfless individuals and donate safe blood in order to save lives.
 

Dr Marwah

National Voluntary Blood Donation Day

Every year, 1st of October is celebrated as the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day.

Promotion of Voluntary Blood Donation

 Acquisition of blood is mainly done through voluntary donations. From the blood safety point of view, Government of India has taken the following steps.

  For raising motivation of the people to donate blood, specially developed TV spots have been created for telecast by Doordarshan regularly at suitable intervals during the prime time.

 Messages are being broadcast through AIR FM – music channel.

 IEC material for one to one communication on blood donation programme, in the form of folders, posters, and stickers have been developed by NACO with the help of Central Health Education Bureau, New Delhi and in all the States and Union Territories with the suggestion to reproduce in vernacular languages.

 Every year, 1st of October is celebrated as the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day. Special campaigns to educate the people and Special camps for blood donation are organized on this day. Through broadcast and televised address President, Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Family Welfare, appeal for voluntary blood donation. These messages are also printed in the newspapers.

 
Dr Marwah