Today is World Blood Donor Day. It is celebrated all over the world on 14th June every year. This year is special as voluntary blood donation has come to a standstill due to the COVID pandemic for more than a year now. On average, 14 crore units of blood are used in India every year, but against this, only 11 million units are available. Due to Covid, volunteer blood donors have decreased. They are unable to go to hospitals treating Covid patients.
How has COVID affected blood donation? What are the rules for this and on other topics including the theme of this year's Blood Donor Day, Dr. Krishnapriya Sikchi, Blood Bank Officer of Jaslok Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai has shared important information? Let us understand through question and answer how much and why blood donation has become important in this time of Covid-19.
So far, the NBTC has not recommended blood donor testing in its guidelines. At the time of donation, the donor is advised to inform the staff about the COVID-19 diagnosis and symptoms.
Respiratory viruses like coronavirus are not transmitted through blood. Because of this, the risk of spreading corona due to blood transfusion is negligible.
Yes. According to the guidelines of the government, if you have taken the dose of the vaccine, then blood donation can be done only after 14 days. It does not matter whether you have taken the first dose or the second. But then it has to be seen whether the blood donor fulfils the other conditions of blood donation or not. In view of the Covid-19 epidemic, it is very important for the blood donor to inform the blood bank about the vaccine while donating blood.
If a person is infected with Covid-19 or is showing any symptoms, then he should not donate blood. The government's guideline issued in May allows blood donation 14 days after the end of the infection ie RT-PCR negative. But we suggest that if hospitalized during treatment, then donate blood only after 28 days of recovery. This includes securing radiological and virological clearance.
Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, not only India but blood banks all over the world are empty. In India, there is an average shortage, this year more problems are coming. Currently, other surgeries or treatment are closed due to Covid-19. But as the surgery begins, the blood requirements will also increase. Blood banks don't have enough blood for that. In India itself, there was a shortfall of 30 lakh units last year. Now it must have increased due to Covid-19.
For this reason, it is necessary to organize blood donation camps for the care of patients. This year's Blood Donor Day slogan has been kept – "Give blood and keep the world-beating" meaning all eligible donors should donate blood to maintain a safe blood supply. You can save someone's life by donating blood. Blood donation increases blood cell production. It helps in fulfilling your social responsibilities.
Covid-19 has created disturbances in blood donation and transfusion services. Blood transfusion services are taking precautions regarding blood donation in view of Covid-19 still facing blood shortage.
Social distancing rules cannot be followed in blood donation activities. All corporate and educational institutions are closed, making it difficult for blood transfusion services to organize outdoor blood donation drives.
Donor flow is disturbed. The donor selection criteria were initially unclear. There was a fear of spreading Covid-19 among donors and staff. There was also a lack of availability of blood units. Handling medical records has also been a major challenge for the blood bank.
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