Blood Safety

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A well organised Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) is a vital component of any health care delivery system. An integrated strategy for Blood Safety is required for elimination of transfusion transmitted infections and for provision of safe and adequate blood transfusion services to the people. The main component of an integrated strategy include collection of blood only from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors, screening for all transfusion transmitted infections and reduction of unnecessary transfusion.

The objective of the Blood Safety Programme under NACP-III is to ensure provision of safe and quality blood even to far-flung remote areas of the State in the shortest possible time, by a well-coordinated State Blood Transfusion Service. The specific objective is to ensure reduction in the transfusion associated HIV transmission to less than 0.5 per cent.

This is proposed to be achieved through the following four-pronged strategy:

• Ensuring that the regular (repeat) voluntary non-remunerated blood donors constitute the main source of blood supply through phased increase in donor recruitment and retention.

• Establishing blood storage centres in the primary health care system for availability of blood in far-flung remote areas.

• Promoting appropriate use of blood, blood components and blood products among the clinicians.

• Capacity building of staff involved in Blood Transfusion Service through an organized training programme for various categories of staff.

In order to streamline blood transfusion services in the State, State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) was established as registered society. That council is provided with necessary funds through NACP. National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC)’s decisions are implemented by the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC).

Currently Eight Regional Blood Transfusion Centres (RBTCs) are administrating/ controlling all the 59 State Govt. owned blood banks in this state.

Beside 59 State Govt. owned blood banks there exist 16 Central Govt. owned and 40 private blood banks in this state.

During 2013-14, 8.94 lakh blood units were collected across the State. NACO supported Blood banks collected 5.89 lakh units; 83.2% of this was through voluntary blood donation.

For quality, safety and efficacy of blood and blood products, well-equipped blood centres with adequate infrastructure and trained manpower is an essential requirement. For effective clinical use of blood, it is necessary to train clinical staff. To attain maximum safety, the requirements of good manufacturing practices and implementation of quality system moving towards total quality management, have posed a challenge to the society and State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC).

Voluntary Blood Donation Programme

It has been recognised world over that collection of blood from regular (repeat) voluntary non-remunerated blood donors should constitute the main source of blood supply. Accordingly, activities for augmentation of voluntary blood donation have been taken up as per “Operational Guidelines on voluntary blood donation”.

During last few years, the percentage of Voluntary blood donation at NACO Supported Blood Banks was around 85%. Several activities to promote public awareness of the need for voluntary blood donation have been undertaken in collaboration with various Blood Donor Organisations. Initiatives have been taken to train the motivators and sensitize them throughout the State. 

List of 86 State Govt. Blood Centres/BCSU in West Bengal along with Contact Number