E-Paper
State-of-art apheresis unit at AMA soon
BLOOD DONATION and management is soon going to witness a technological revolution. Region's first state-of-the art apheresis unit will be set up at the Allahabad Medical Association's (AMA) blood bank to provide specialised treatment facility to leukaemia patients.
BLOOD DONATION and management is soon going to witness a technological revolution. Region's first state-of-the art apheresis unit will be set up at the Allahabad Medical Association's (AMA) blood bank to provide specialised treatment facility to leukaemia patients.
The technique will also revolutionise the way components were removed from whole blood in the entire region.
The apheresis instrument is designed as a centrifuge which separates or removes different components from the whole blood.
The technology is a step ahead of other technologies as after the required component is separated the remaining components are retransfused into the patient or donor.
So there is no harm to either the donor or the recipient of the blood component.
The components which are separated or withdrawn include plasma, platelets and leukocytes.
The unit will cost between Rs 15 and 20 lakh and is expected to get installed within six months. "The tenders have been invited for the installation of apheresis unit.
We are exploring other possibilities for its maximum use. Since its very costly it may take some time for its installation at the AMA blood bank," said AMA secretary Dr VK Gupta.
Dr Gupta said with its installation the leukaemia patient will regularly get high quality platelets.
The platelets' quality could be assessed from the fact that one unit of platelet withdrawn in this unit from a single person would be equal to six to eight units of platelets taken from six to eight donors.
"In this way the precious blood will be saved and we will be able to provide specialised services to leukaemia patients. Although one unit of platelets may cost Rs 8000," he added.
Dr Gupta said a separate infrastructure and an experienced and trained staff is required for this unit.
A separate license is also needed for running this unit. All this may take few more months, he said.
