Natl panel set up to rate blood banks
Move Aims At Reducing Cases Of Infections
Move Aims At Reducing Cases Of Infections
Chennai: In an attempt to regulate blood banks and ensure that safe blood is provided to people,the Quality Council of India has appointed a fivemember committee to rate blood banks across the country.The initiative is a move to bring down incidence of infections such as HIV and hepatitis.
All blood banks are licensed and monitored by state drug control directorates.The committee for accreditation of blood banks will be chaired by Dr Bharat Singh of Delhibased GTB hospital.He and four members will inspect and recommend accreditation for blood banks.They will function under the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals.The accreditation is given only if the blood banks ensure that the blood volume is right,there is no mixing of blood cells after components like platelets,white blood cells and red cells are isolated.The committee will also ensure that the bank follows stringent measures to rule out infections.
The committee,which has a two-year tenure,will monitor the quality of blood dispensed from the accredited blood banks.It will also recommend policy changes to the QCI board.The other members of this board include Dr R C Khurana of the Escorts Heart Institute,Dr Sukesh Nair of Christian Medical College in Vellore and Dr BK Rana,deputy director of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals.
In a country that has been reeling under the shortage of blood,there are high chances of acquiring infections such as HIV or hepatitis through blood transfusions,doctors say.Currently,there is no data on the number of people who have acquired infections following blood disorders.According to the World Health Organisation,annually,unsafe transfusion causes an estimated 8 million to 16 million hepatitis B infections,2.3-4.7 million hepatitis C infections and around 160,000 HIV infections.More than 81 million units of blood are collected globally every year.India has over 2,635 licensed blood banks.Though it requires 8.5 million units of blood annually,the country collects only 6.5 million units.
With 2.5 million donors,only 55% of the donors give blood voluntary.Though India has managed to cut the number of paid donors,many hospitals continue to insist that patients relatives replace blood that is used.When the blood is drawn once every three months from a voluntary donor,we know the pool.The infection rate will be lower.That does not happen when we ask for replacement blood, said Dr K Selvarajan.
SECURING LIFELINE
* A national panel will ensure the accreditation is given only if a blood bank ensures the blood volume is right,there is no mixing of blood cells after components like platelets,white blood cells and red cells are isolated
* It will ensure the bank follows strict measures to rule out infections and will recommend policy changes to the Quality Council of India board
* India has 2,635 licensed blood banks.Though the country requires 8.5 million units of blood annually,it collects 6.5 million units
* According to WHO,unsafe transfusion causes 8 million to 16 million hepatitis B infections,2.3-4.7 million hepatitis C infections and 160,000 HIV infections every year