‘Blood Scant’ India Dumps a Million Blood Units Per Year

This, despite India facing severe shortage of blood supply.

Representational image of blood bags. 

(Photo: iStockphoto)

Despite facing severe blood shortage, India dumps over a million units of blood every year, according to the Health Ministry data tabled in Parliament. India’s blood banks have congregated only 9.9 million units against the estimated annual requirement of 10 million to 12 million units, The Times of India reported.

In response to a question by an MP, the Health Ministry data tabled in the Lok Sabha reflected that reactivity for infections (malaria, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C). 

Plasma, the yellow coloured blood component which is prominently used for life-saving treatments, accounts for the largest chunk of wasted blood units, the report added.

The The Times of India report further cited other reasons for disposal of blood units – degeneration during storage in the form of discolouration, haemolysis, bacterial decay, incomplete blood collection in desired quantities, non-compliance to parameters post collection, and production.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, blood donation by one percent of a country's population is usually sufficient for the upkeep of the population’s safe blood needs. Currently, an estimated 9.5 million Indians donate blood, but India’s blood bank still falls short of 2.5 million to 3 million units.

With public health being a state subject, India does not have a national blood transfusion service. However, states are armed with state Blood Transfusion Councils to supervise the operation of blood transfusion services, the Ministry added.

Patients are in dire need of blood in cases of immense blood loss, such as major accidents, surgeries, childbirth or miscarriage.

Repeated blood transfusions are the only solution for patients with blood diseases like severe anaemias, leukaemias (blood cancer), haemophilia (bleeding disorder) and thalassemia, TOI reported.

According to the WHO, one unit of blood (450 ml) can be a life saver for three people. One out of every 10 patients admitted to a hospital needs blood. While six units of blood are needed for every open heart surgery, a roadside accident victim would need up to 100 units due to excessive blood loss.

The global tally of deaths during pregnancy, childbirth or in the postpartum period account for 2,87,000 women. Close to 99 percent of the deaths take place in developing countries.

(With inputs from The Times of India)

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