Blood Safety

Background:

               Blood is an intrinsic requirement for health care and proper functioning of the health system and provision of safe blood is vital as it is an essential component in safeguarding human life.

               Blood Transfusion Services (BTS) is a vital part of the health care services. A well organized blood transfusion service (BTS), with quality system in all areas is a pre requisite for the safe and effective use of blood and blood products through a network of well equipped Licensed Blood Banks and Blood Storage Centres with adequate infra structure and trained manpower.

               The Objectives of Blood Transfusion Services (BTS) is to wipe off the scarcity of blood and ensure availability of safe and quality blood and other blood components, round the clock and throughout the year, even to far flung areas in the state.

Key Strategies:-

• Assessing blood needs and requirements of the state.
• Increasing regular voluntary non-remunerated blood donation to meet the safe blood requirements of the state through increase in donor recruitment and retention.
• Ensuring mandatory screening tests for presence of Transfusion Transmitted Infection (TTIs) like HIV1&2, Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis and Malaria in all NACO supported Licensed Blood Banks, for improving and maintaining quality control of blood and blood products.
• Promoting rational and appropriate use of blood and blood components among the clinicians;
• Capacity building of health care providers to achieve efficient and self-sufficient blood transfusion services.

Current scenario:

• Regional Blood Transfusion Centre (RBTC):-

To ensure mandatory screening of blood for transfusion, a Zonal Blood Testing Center (ZBTC) which is now known as the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre was established at Regional Blood Bank, Pasteur Institute, Shillong in the year 1990 and linkages were made with other licensed Govt. and Private Charitable Blood Banks in the state.

• State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC), Meghalaya

               State Blood Transfusion Council in Meghalaya was formed and registered under the Societies Registration Act on the 7th March 1997, in pursuance to the direction to the State by the Hon. Supreme Court of India vide its Judgement dated 4th January 1996 upon a writ petition No. 91 of 1992

               SBTC established in State has a distinct entity. The SBTC in coordination with the State AIDS Control Society take necessary steps to streamline the Blood Transfusion Services in the respective State.

               The SBTC will be responsible for overall implementation within the state, all policy decisions for the Blood Transfusion Service taken by the National Blood Transfusion Council, within the parameters of the National Blood Policy and as detailed in the Action plan for blood safety.

               Its members are as follows:-