India has an annual shortfall of 3 million units of blood but it is simply criminal that in the last five years, over 2.8 million precious units of blood and its components were discarded by blood banks across the country, exposing serious loopholes in the nation's blood banking system. The spoilage was revealed by data provided by the National Aids Control Organisation (NACO).

Blood shortage is a chronic problem in India. It exists everywhere, right from the most interior parts of the country to big metros. Lack of blood, plasma or platelets often becomes the cause for maternal mortality and deaths in accident cases. Point to be noted is the fact that rather than shortage of donors, it is the shortage of facilities which is aiding this crunch.

In recent times, voluntary blood donation in the state has gained momentum. However, much to the dismay the noble gesture is rendered meaningless with blood banks in private and government run hospitals in shambles. There is neither proper infrastructure nor trained manpower to manage blood bank in a scientific way.

It is shocking to note that, Arunachal has only 13 blood banks in various district headquarters and even out of this paltry number— only few are functioning properly. 

Much stress is laid on voluntary blood donation, however, equal if not more focus must be on making blood banks more efficient. Given the present state, blood banks are in no position to handle large units of blood which consequently will lead to spoilage.

Arunachal Pradesh in a truly commendable feat, bagged the rare honour for its constant and 100 per cent contribution towards voluntarily blood donation (5000 units of blood every year) for last three years by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India on World Blood Donor Day on June 14, 2016. The achievement is inspirational given the fact that in 2012 the percentage of voluntarily blood donation was zero.

The turnaround also assumes huge significance given the limitation of blood banks and related technology in the state.  

Blood is a two-edged sword; on one hand it is a life saver but at the same time contaminated blood can spell doom for the receiver and literally jeopardise lives. Therefore, as there is need to raise awareness about voluntary blood donation likewise safe-handling and screening of donated blood is also vital.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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