Editorial . . . . . .
Blood is regarded as a necessary component and the vital power of humans, with no substitution. Nothing compares to the priceless nature of human blood. Transfusion of safe blood and blood components is a vital part of today’s healthcare system, and it is often lifesaving. Many major surgeries, as well as emergency care for trauma patients, pregnant women with difficulties, very anaemic women and children, cancer patients, and those with sickle-cell anaemia, thalassemia, haemophilia, and other blood disorders, necessitate safe blood/blood component transfusions.
Transfusions of safe blood and blood components extend lives and improve the quality of life of patients with life-threatening conditions. Safe blood transfusions are critical in mass casualty situations such as bomb blasts, gunshot wounds, traffic accidents, natural disasters, and so on. Every year, safe blood/blood components help save millions of lives throughout the world. Patients who need blood or blood component transfusions as part of their treatment have the right to expect that enough safe blood and blood components will be available to meet their needs. Transfusion of safe blood/blood components is also protected by law because it is both life-saving and lethal.
It is widely agreed that the best source of blood for transfusing the safest blood/blood components to needy patients is volunteer blood donations (VBD), ideally from Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donors (VNRBD). A VNRBD donates blood or its components out of the goodness of his or her heart and receives no compensation, either in cash or in kind that may be regarded as a replacement for money. Personal happiness, self-esteem, and pride are their only rewards.
Safe blood and blood components are always in great demand in India. For most blood centres, maintaining a continual supply of safe and sufficient blood/blood components is a major difficulty. In most cases, if a patient requires blood or blood components transfusion, a substitute blood donor from the patient’s family or friend is required.
How can family or friends bring all the required replacement blood donors in some situations where blood/blood component transfusions are required on a regular basis.
As a result, professional or paid blood donors posing as replacement blood donors become involved. It is well known that paid blood donors engage in high-risk behaviour, increasing the likelihood of transfusion-transmissible illnesses in recipients. Sections 269 and 270 of the Indian Penal Code safeguard against the spread of contagious diseases caused by careless and malicious conduct, respectively. Since January 1, 1998, the Supreme Court of India has prohibited professional blood donation.
Healthy VNRBDs must come forward for VBD in order to preserve a safe and sustainable national blood/blood component supply for all those in need. The delivery of safe blood/blood components in the appropriate quantity at the right time can never be guaranteed without a consistent flow of actual VNRBD to keep the blood/blood component stock sufficient. All we know is that, despite today’s great advances in medical technology, no factory can produce blood or blood components. Human blood and blood components are only generated and circulated in humans. The only way for those who require blood or blood components to save their lives is to share them with others. Any healthy person can donate blood up to four times per year if they wait three months between donations. Plasma and platelet donations are common.
All qualified blood donors in the country should sign up for VBD so that any patient in need of blood or blood components can receive the necessary safe blood/blood component units from blood centres without having to replace them. The most valuable gift we can give each other is blood and blood components donation, a gift that can save lives and provide many people with a new lease on life. VBD is regarded as one of the best services that a man can provide. Blood and blood components donation is a noble act.
One method to show one’s love for oneself and one’s fellow humans is to donate blood voluntarily. Non-remunerated voluntary blood donors are humanity’s saviours. All eligible blood donors should come forward and vow to promote 100% VBD as part of this heroic act of giving the precious gift of life. We hope that sophisticated methods and technologies that anticipate blood requirements shall be introduced. We must aim to collaborate with blood banks and organise targeted blood drives to fulfil specific needs.