State to promote voluntaryblood donation in a big way

Targets youth in the 18-30 age group for regular donation

The Health Department will promote the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on October 1 in a big way.

“Healthy youth towards voluntary donation habit” is the theme this year. Voluntary blood donation by youth at regular intervals could protect the health of not just the individuals but also the health of transfusion recipients such as cancer patients and those with serious blood disorders.

Regular and repeat blood donors — those donating blood every three months — have a big role in improving blood safety and ensuring that no blood-borne pathogens are transmitted to another through transfusion. The fact that one was a repeat and regular blood donor was also an acknowledgement of the clean and healthy lifestyle of a person.

The Health Department is targeting those in the 18-30 age group for promoting the concept of repeat and regular blood donation.

Senior Kerala State AIDS Control Society officials pointed out that according to the data available, new cases of HIV infection are seen in those above 40 years of age.

New HIV incidence is low among those in the 18-30 year age group, indicating that they are better aware of the consequences of high-risk behaviour.

Safe donation is possible through government-recognised blood banks and blood donation camps. There are 167 recognised blood banks in the State, 36 of these being in the government sector.

The blood bags, consumables, and lab reagents required for testing in all government blood banks are supplied by the National AIDS Control Organisation. The government has appointed 55 technicians and 31 counsellors in the blood banks.

The State requires on an average, about 4.5 lakh units of blood annually. Only about 40 per cent of this requirement is met through voluntary blood donation now.

“Our aim is to meet the entire blood requirement through voluntary blood donation. The Health Department is also planning to study each major health institution to have a clear idea about the approximate blood requirement in each so that blood donation can be made a planned activity, with less wastage,” Project Director of KSACS R. Ramesh said.