KARACHI, April 14: The need to develop the culture of blood donation is strongly needed in the country where 75 per cent of its blood requirement is met through professional donors, leaving a large number of blood recipients vulnerable to a wide range of diseases.

According to experts, the country’s blood need of 1.5 million units per year could easily be met, provided only one per cent of the population of 140 million, with appropriate health credentials, commit themselves to donate blood regularly — after every three months.

It may be reminded that 70 per cent of local women, at one or the other point of their lives, require blood transfusion, while the shrinking size of families has reduced chances for a single family to arrange more than two to three units of blood for needy relatives.

Under the given situation, there is a dire need to create provision of safe blood availability round-the-clock in all banks and hospitals.

People may be reminded here that there are generally no side- effects to blood donation.

On the contrary, it has already been scientifically established that regular blood donation reduces chances of heart attack.

Experts also suggest a family blood donation campaign.

Unfortunately, there currently exists absolute lack of political will towards the importance of safe blood transfusion services in the country. It could be well-gauged from the fact that despite a passage of more than five years since the establishment of Sindh Safe Blood Transfusion Authority, blood banks operating in the private sector have yet to be registered.

The situation has failed to bring blood banks, more than 100 in Karachi only, under a system, making it mandatory that they apply required measures for dispensation of screened and safe blood among the people.

Public sensitization about the conditions under which blood transfusion should be avoided, along with regular campaigns to encourage volunteers to donate blood can be an effective strategy to promote the availability of safe and healthy blood.

Local blood banks must ensure proper confirmation of the blood group of the donor prior to each transfusion. Modifying public perception regarding blood donation is therefore urgently needed.—APP