Working on the dream to make safe blood accessible to all the needy!

[Dr Rajesh Gopal]

We in Gujarat are working to minimize all possibilities of transmission of HIV
and other infections through transfused blood along with prevention of avoidable
deaths for lack of blood ,say at the time of childbirth.

Repeat voluntary blood donation supplemented with quality standardized blood banking practices
with a reorganized blood services with functional blood storage centres in tribal/rural and difficult to reach
unserved and undeserved areas, may realize the same.

We all are working in a committed manner for promotion of the mass movement
of repeat voluntary blood donation so as to make safe blood accessible
to all the needy.

Different stakeholders like Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Indian Society for Blood Transfusion
and Immunohaematology (ISBTI), voluntary blood donation camp
organizers, voluntary blood donor associations, cultural/educational/
financial(say State Bank of India) organizations, blood banks, blood storage centres etc.
are ensuring the same through the desired activities at different levels.

The journey is, however, long and a lot needs to be done further.

Concerted collective action requested earlier has been ensured but needs to be strengthened further.

We have put our hearts and souls into it and shall not leave any stones unturned
to ensure the same.

[Dr Rajesh Gopal]

Dear Laurence,

Both motivating the blood donors as well as strengthening of management and effective functioning of fostered public private partnerships are a must.

I have tried to incorporate some of them in the concept note of 'Blood Security" posted today.

It would be feasible only with the ownership by the community which is being worked upon.

Association of Voluntary Blood Donors(the community) is a major stakeholder in the same. The activities pertain to effective transport,storage, distribution and accessibility-- ,obviously going beyond the traditional role/expectation of just 'donating' blood.

Best wishes,
R.Gopal.

[Laurence Gilliot]

Dear Dr. Gopal,

Thank you for your posting. How can communities at the local level take ownership of the blood donation and blood bank, so that blood is made available in the most remote areas? Do you have any example of a community that successfully manages this, whether it is stimulating community member to give their blood, or managing the blood when it has been donated?

Thank you

Laurence