India to soon get rare blood donor registry

The National Institute of Immunohaematology in Mumbai under the India Council of Medical Research has for the first time created a national 'rare blood donor registry' for patients with rare and uncommon blood types who need frequent transfusion especially in conditions such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease.

The ICMR-NIIH is now in talks with the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) so that the rare donor registry portal can be integrated with e-Raktakosh, a platform which currently provides information about blood availability, Dr Manisha Madkaikar, Director of ICMR-Centre for Research Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies (CRHCM) in Nagpur said.

The integration will help people with rare blood groups easily trace blood banks and procure blood. It will also assist the blood banks manage their stock and donors through a centralised system.

India, with a population of over 142 crore, has over 4,000 licensed blood banks, according to the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation.

India relies heavily on transfusions due to a higher prevalence of blood diseases and complications during pregnancy, Dr Madkaikar said.