Unbanked Direct Blood Transfusion

The rural health sector is already in shambles with unwilling doctors, inadequate para-medical staff and facilities. As a cherry on the cake we have the ban on UDBT. The amendment to the Cosmetic and Drugs 1945 (Rules) that mandated even blood be collected by authorised and licensed blood banks only. 69% of Indian population is living in rural areas and they are the ones facing the direct impact of this ban. India is the country with one of the highest MMR. we loose so many lives during the child birth due to unavailability of blood. Doctors and staff feel that their hands have been tied and they could do nothing to save them.

Government has put a ban on UDBT due to the fear of spreading HIV and other diseases. They have thus advised the doctors to only use blood from licensed blood bank that has been checked properly. Unlike blood banks UBDT has more chances of spreading diseases like HIV etc as this is the most preferred in rural areas. A proper check of the blood for any infections like HIV, Hepatitis B and other diseases should be check thoroughly and also the medical and para-medical staff should be trained to do their job even more professionally and without any errors. But every solution has its fallacies too. Socio-economic, caste barrier along with infrastructural issues are also some hindrances in this. A solid framework should be put in place for legalising UDBT while simultaneously minimizing illegal practices.

Some of the solution for blood demand can be summarized as below:
1. Use of UDBT after testing in certified institution.

2. Maintenance of minimum stock of blood for all the blood group.

3. Blood donation camp and awareness among the people for blood donation.

4. Encouragement to new bank on the PPP model or private bank with strict surveillance.

5. Use of blood alternatives wherever possible.