Rise in blood donation across TN

Chennai alone accounts for the collection of a high volume of blood — 2 lakh units of the 7.5 lakh across TN

October 02, 2013 01:21 am | Updated 09:05 am IST - CHENNAI:

More people across the State are voluntarily donating blood, a study by Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society found.

“In 2012-2013, a total of 7,51,680 units of blood were collected from 278 blood banks across the State. Of these, 7,15,824 units (95 per cent) were from voluntary blood donation. Chennai city alone accounts for collection of a high volume of blood — 2 lakh units — and the city’s performance is improving,” said T. Sampath, consultant, voluntary blood donation of Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society.

Voluntary blood donation has come a long way from being just 57 per cent, 10 years ago. “Last year, it was 94 per cent in the State. Among voluntary donors, 60 to 70 per cent comprise college students,” he said.

N. Raja Kumar, professor and head, department of transfusion medicine, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, said the city had achieved 99 per cent voluntary blood donation.

“There has been a five to 10 per cent increase in the number of blood donation camp organisers in the city. We want to achieve 100 per cent voluntary blood donation, promote the rational use of blood and component therapy,” he said.

Whole blood can be separated into three-four components including packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrate and cryoprecipitate. “This way, one unit of blood can be utilised for four persons,” he said.

For the rational use of blood, unwanted transfusions such as in cases of caesarean section, family planning and wound healing could be minimised, Dr. Raja Kumar said. “Platelets can be used for dengue treatment and plasma for burns instead of whole blood,” he said.

On National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on Tuesday, nearly 600 persons — regular blood donors and camp organisers — were honoured. Health minister K.C. Veeramani participated in the function. The theme for this year was — voluntary blood donation will cost you nothing but it will save a life.

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