Potpourri- Voluntary Blood Donation – A Humane Act

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Voluntary Blood Donation – A Humane Act
By Seram Neken
Nothing is comparable to the preciousness of human blood. In spite of the rapid and remarkable conquests of medical science today, there is no factory that manufactures blood. It is only in human beings that human blood is made and circulated. For those who require blood for saving their lives, sharing from other fellows is the only means. Hence, donation – rather voluntary donation is the only way of accumulating blood at safe storage to meet emergency requirements for saving lives. In times of accidental injuries that shed huge amounts of blood and also in various types of surgical operations for medical treatments, we require blood for transfusion. Unavailability of blood may cost lives. Hence, importance of blood donation is tremendous. This is the greatest gift one can do for the mankind. Voluntary Blood Donors are saviors of mankind. If someone really loves oneself and other fellow beings, the only way to express it is to donate blood voluntarily. Safe blood transfusion comes under the legal protection as it is life-saving and also fatal. Article 21 under part III of Indian Constitution spells out that no person shall be deprived of his life. The Consumer Protection Act of 1986 also covers blood as a commodity. Indian Panel code chapter XIV, sections 269 and 270 also provide for protection against spread of infectious diseases due to negligent and malignant acts. Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 also establishes regulations for blood banking and transfusions. The role of blood in a living creature is unique. The different components of blood have different activities to perform. Red Blood Cells (RBC) transports oxygen throughout the body, White Blood Cells (WBC) constitutes body’s defense mechanism, Platelets helps in stopping bleeding and Plasma transports proteins including anti-bodies. Blood also evacuates wastes products from all organs of the body. There are four main blood groups i.e. O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common and therefore the most in demand. The average amount of blood present in an adult is 4-5 liters or about 8% of the body weight. Life cycles of the different components are short. The RBC lives about 120 days while white cells last about 3-9 days. New blood cells are constantly generated in the body. A person can donate blood 168 times during his 18 to 60 years. The quantity of blood present in 1kg of body weight is 76ml for males and 66 ml for females. Out of this 8 ml per kg body weight is donatable. Males can donate for every three months while females for every four months. All donated blood is recuperated within 21 days. At one time only 350 ml will be taken from a donor in not more than 20 minutes time including time for rest and refreshment. Blood donation is harmless and safe in the body. Rather, it is a social responsibility. The donor is donating for it as it will be used in saving lives of his fellow beings. He himself may use the same in his own need. So today’s donor may be tomorrow’s recipient. Fear of needles, fear of pain, fear of sight of blood, fear of future weakness, fear of possible ill effects, objection from elders, ignorance and illiteracy etc. are all reasons for many people who are hesitant in donating blood. All these myths and misconceptions are to be removed in order that adequate amount of blood is made available at blood banks for saving the patients. The significance of observance of a day like the National Voluntary Blood Donation day on 1st October every year is to mobilize voluntary blood donors by motivating the potential donors to motivate for the cause of the society. Egoism in individuals be replaced with altruism. The former represents the motive behind those who seek their own ends and the later connotes individuals who always seek social ends. The bloods collected from voluntary donors are stored at blood banks and it will be made available readily to needed patients on replacement basis. All units of blood collected are tested for malaria, hepatitis B & C, VDRL and HIV. Formerly, selling and buying of this life-fluid was common. Blood sellers do this trade for want of money as they are usually poor. They suffer from various ailments and they may be drug addicts, alcoholics and even carriers of blood transmissible diseases. The Supreme Court of India has banned this trade since 1st January 1998. Blood transfusion from matched relatives and friends was also in vogue. As it was not done voluntarily, there is apprehension of ill effects to the recipients. So, voluntarily donated blood from healthy and social minded individuals is considered as the safest blood for transfusion. Criteria for blood donors as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. 1940 * Age: between 18 to 60 years. * Body weight: 45 kg and above. * Pulse rate: 60 to 100 per minute and regular * Blood Pressure: Systolic 100 to 180 mm of mercury; Diastolic 50 to 100 mm of mercury. * Hemoglobin: minimum 12.5gm/100ml of blood. * Oral temperature: not exceeding 37.50C. Although half of the population in the country is medically fit to donate blood, only 4 in a thousand are blood donors. Male female ratio of blood consumption is 40:60 however only 5% of the donors are women. Motivation and awareness activities are in dire need for boosting the blood stocks to meet the needs. In Manipur, three blood banks licensed and modernized under the national blood policy are functioning well. There are plans for setting up blood banks at all districts in addition to the Blood Banks at RIMS, JN Hospital and Churachandpur District Hospital. Constructions of blood banks in Chandel, Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts have been completed and services will be made available in the near future. Various organizations spearheading the movement of voluntary blood donation in the state are Indian Red Cross Society, Indian medical Association, NSS units in colleges, students unions, local clubs and organizations which organize blood donation camps on special occasions like Khongjom Day, Martyrs Day, Hungers Marchers Day, International Red Cross Day etc. As per records available, a medical student of RIMS Ravi Bhatia who donated blood on 26th May 1999 is perhaps the first voluntary donor in the State. Among the regular donors, Lairenlakpam Rajkishore Singh aged 44 years from Naoremthong Imphal and AK Devkumar Singh aged 40 years from Tera Sayang Pukhri Mapal are among the most regular donors. They have donated 28 times since 1993. Among the social workers and artistes, Narendra Ningomba has donated 8 times and among the health professionals, Dr. L Tomcha Khuman has donated 6 times regularly. There are also many others who regularly donate blood on occasions. Without their humane gifts, that also from the heart, many lives might have lost for want of blood. So the biggest ever contribution is blood donation. (Courtesy: National Guidebook on Blood Donor Motivation, NACO MHFW, GOI; HIV/AIDS and You by Dr. Khomdon Singh Lisam Feb. 2004; Blood Bank RIMS)
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)

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