KARACHI, August 30: A 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.

The country’s blood need of 1.5 million units per year could be easily met, provided only one per cent of the 140 million countrymen, 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 time of their lives require blood transfusion. The shrinking size of families has reduced the chances for a single family to arrange more than two or three units of blood to their needy relatives.

Under the given situation, there is a dire need for provision of safe blood availability around the clock in all banks and hospitals.

There are generally no side-effects of blood donation. On the contrary, it has been scientifically established that regular blood donation reduces chances of heart attack. Pathologists stress proper storage facilities for blood donated in access to actual need, particularly during emergency situations.

Currently there seems to be no realization of the importance of safe blood transfusion services in the country. It has been five years since the establishment of the Sindh Safe Blood Transfusion Authority, blood banks operating in the private sector are yet to be registered.

Authorities have failed to bring blood banks, more than 100 in Karachi only, under a system making it mandatory to take all the required measures for dispensation of screened and safe blood.

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