Awareness on safe transfusion of blood

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, Sep 16, 2018: The Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal organised a national symposium on ‘Hemovigilance Programme of India’.

On the occasion, MAHE Vice-Chancellor Vinod Bhat said an active surveillance of transfusion reactions should be done and it is of public health importance.

Dr Reba Chhabra, the deputy director of National Institute of Biologicals, said, “Hemovigilance programme collects and assesses information on unexpected or undesirable effects resulting from the blood transfusion and it helps the policy makers to develop strategies to ensure safer transfusions”.

Blood transfusion experts Dr Debasish Gupta, Dr Shivaram, Dr Sitalakshmi and Dr Shwethapriya shared their experiences. Regulatory aspects of blood banking were discussed by former Drugs controllers, Dr D Roy and Dr Selvaraj.

Pro-vice chancellor of Faculty of Health Sciences Dr Poornima Baliga, Dean of Kasturba Medical College Dr Pragna Rao, Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery Dr Vijay Kumar were present.

Dr Shamee Shastry, professor and head of the Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, said ensuring safe transfusions is the prime motive and the symposium was planned to create awareness about the Hemovigilance programme among all the stakeholders of blood transfusion.