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Human
blood is an essential element of human life, and there are no
substitutes. 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
Blood
transfusion services occupy a vital space in any National Health
Service delivery system. Blood is also a scarce resource. The
availability of safe and adequate blood saves lives. If not
properly screened, however, blood becomes a conduit for
transmitting life threatening viral, bacterial and protozoal
infections,
e,g,
hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, syphilis and malaria.
The
cornerstone of a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood
products is the recruitment, selection and retention of
voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors from low risk
populations. The aim is to phase out replacement donors, and to
focus our attention on augmenting blood collection through
voluntary blood donations for over 95 percent of blood
requirement. This can be achieved in part by regular IEC in
respect of voluntary blood donation. MDACS financially supports
such IEC activity.
MDACS
under modernization of blood banks component gives funds to
licensed public sector blood banks. The funds allocated on the
basis of quantity of blood collection, are utilized for purchase
of equipment/consumables/ reagents and staff salary. HIV/HCV
Elisa test kits are supplied free of cost to the said blood
banks.
Use
of blood components (red cell, fresh frozen plasma (FFP),
plasma, platelet concentrate & cryoprecipitate) enables a
single blood donation to go a longer way by pre-empting
transfusion of components a patient may not require and
addresses the needs of more than one patient. Public sector
blood banks collecting 10,000 units or more of blood per year
are financially supported by MDACS to promote blood component
separation
With
a view to improving standards of service delivery in blood
banks, MDACS facilitates frequent workshops, for training of
blood banking personnel and sensitization of programme officers.
Quality
Assurance in blood banks is ensured by them participating in an
EQAS program. The Indian Red Cross Society Mumbai blood bank is
the referral laboratory for the same. MDACS financially
facilitates the EQAS program
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