Voluntary blood donation in India can save many lives

Blood is the most vital tissue in a human body for their overall wellness and survival. India being the second largest human resource in the World, but still in deficit of 20 lakh units of blood every year. It is estimated that only one percent of the Indian population comes forward to donate blood. The current situation of the country is that the demand for blood is double than the actual availability.

According to WHO, India was in need of 6 crore units of blood in 2017, but only half of the units were available. During critical conditions, most of the blood banks in India face the similar challenge of making sufficient blood available. It is also estimated that if only 1% of the population (in addition to the already donating) voluntarily donates blood, the demand supply deficit can be curbed down completely. To promote voluntary blood donation among the masses, every year on 14th June is observed as World Blood Donor Day.

Who can donate blood?

To be eligible for donating blood, an individual must be healthy and should not be suffering from any acute chronic disease or blood related ailments. One can ensure their eligibility to donate blood through regular screening of their blood. For a healthy person doctors may recommend to undergo routine blood tests atleast once a year. Regular health screening helps an individual to monitor their wellness and bodily changes over a period of time, and enables timely treatment to prevent chronic conditions. It is the core responsibility of donor to ensure quality blood donating. A one who is 18 year or above, weighing more than 45 kgs and is not suffering from any infectious or chronic disease can donate blood. High blood pressure more than140/90.Diabetic person can donate blood if he/she is not taking insulin & diabetes is controlled by oral hypoglycemic drugs, pregnant and menstruating women are not allowed to donate blood.

Need of blood donation in India

In India, blood donation is required in every two seconds. Around 40,000 blood donors are required every day. In the year 2016, ministry of health family welfare reported there was blood donation of 10.9 million units against the demand the requirements of 12 million units. The most demanding blood group by the hospitals is Group B. A single accidental victim requires more than 50 units of blood. More than one million patients are diagnosed with cancer every year and require blood daily or during their chemotherapy session.

Who should not donate blood?

Some people are disqualified from donating blood because they have diseases that could be transmitted through blood. A person with HIV positive, HBsAg & HCV positive blood clotting disorder, any heart problem or cardiac surgery, tattoo done recently, received blood, plasma or other blood components recently, received chemotherapy or radiation for cancer treatment, suffering from anaemia, recent attack by malaria parasite, dengue or chikungunya virus, an intravenous drug abuser, multiple sex partner should not donate blood. Precautions that should be taken before donating blood. The day before your blood donation make sure you eat well, take balanced diet on the same day. Drink extra water and fluids; avoid caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee.

(The author is HoD –Blood Bank, Saroj Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi)