Blood donation safe, clarifies government

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 10

As blood bank stocks dwindle amid the progressing pandemic, the government today said the disease was not transmitted through blood transfusion.

The National Blood Transfusion Council, in a letter to the State AIDS Control Societies and State Blood Transfusion Councils, said none of the known strains of coronaviruses had ever transmitted through blood transfusion, thus blood donation was safe.

The letter followed evidence of depleting essential stocks with blood banks amid apprehensions among donors that Covid-19 could be transmitted through blood transfusion. The WHO is yet to issue guidance in the area.

Depleting blood supply buffer stocks are worrying the government as essential supply of blood is needed for patients of thalassemia, those with severe anaemia, serious pregnancies, blood loss cases and post-partum haemorrhage.

“In the light of Covid-19, there are several global and national reports of apprehensions among donors and organisations with respect to the risk of contracting infection during blood donation camps and visits to blood centres. Social distancing norms are also being interpreted to avoid congregation for blood donation activities,” the government said today.

Supplies Dwindle

The government is worried as stock in many blood banks is fast depleting. Supply of blood is needed for patients of thalassemia, those with severe anaemia, serious pregnancies, blood loss cases and post-partum haemorrhage