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Blood centres asked to provide units to Thalassemia daycare centres
Thalassaemia is a hereditary blood disorder in which the body produces less haemoglobin than normal levels
In a huge relief to Thalassemia patients, the district civil surgeon has asked all blood centres in the Pune district to regularly provide a specified number of units every month to blood centres linked to the Thalassemia daycare centre, said the officials.
Thalassaemia is a hereditary blood disorder in which the body produces less haemoglobin than normal levels. Due to this, patients require lifelong blood transfusions with at least one unit of blood within a maximum of 20 days. However, Thalassemia patients face tough times whenever there is a blood shortage.
Dr Nagnath Yempalay, the district civil surgeon, informed seven blood centres have been asked to provide blood to 22 Thalassemia daycare centres located in the Pune district.
“The blood centres are obligated to provide free blood to people suffering from Thalassemia, haemophilia, sickle cells, or any other blood disorder who require repeated blood transfusions,” he said.
As per officials, the directions come following a circular issued by the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) last week, directing all private and government blood centres to allocate a specified number of blood units every month to blood centres linked with Thalassemia daycare centres.
Dr Nisha Teli, blood transfusion officer, Metro Blood Bank, Aundh, said, the blood centres have to transfer the specified blood unit made after coordination with the Blood Transfusion Officer of the Thalassemia Day Care Centre.
“The specified quantity should be transferred in 2 lots, once in fortnight after mutual discussions between both the centres. The transferred blood units should comprise at least 3 different blood groups of only Packed Red Blood Cells. The transferred blood units should have a collection date not earlier than 15 days from the date of the transfer,” she said.
The receiving blood centre should ensure that the blood units received from the transferor blood centre are utilised only for Thalassemia patients and in case of any emergency if such units are used for other patients, the same should be immediately replenished.
