The ever-widening gap between demand and supply of blood may finally be addressed with the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) allowing blood banks to exchange blood and its components in bulk among themselves. A recent Union health ministry circular also allowed inter-state exchange of blood and its components, such as platelets, plasma and red blood cells, with immediate effect.
The decision came after deliberations about uneven distribution of blood and how to curb its wastage. The circular stated that blood can be shared among government, private and trust-run licensed banks. But the terms of exchange or monetary aspect, if any, have not been spelt out in the October 28 order. The city generates over three lakh units of blood annually though the requirement is at least 30% more, experts said.
Significantly, the circular emphasized that no patient can be denied blood if he/she is not admitted to a hospital attached to that blood bank. The order made it clear that the donor has to be informed that his/her blood could be used outside the bank where he/she may have donated.
The Federation of Bombay Blood Banks (FBBB), a non-profit organization formed by 47 banks, hailed the move, adding that a bit of sharing had already been happening in the city. FBBB secretary Dr Neelam Nijhara said, “It will cut down on the running around for a patient and help banks to mobilise excess units,” she said.
Now, the supplier bank will be accountable for any complication arising out of a shared blood unit.