Blood bag 350 ml earlier; now newborns and paediatric patients to receive only required quantity

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

At blood donation camps, blood is collected in bags with a capacity of 350 ml. However, newborns and paediatric patients require blood only in limited quantities. Until now, GMCH had no option but to issue a full 350 ml blood bag. After administering the required amount, the remaining blood often went to waste. This situation will now change, as the regional blood centre at GMCH has received an advanced ‘sterile connecting device’ worth Rs 17 lakh. With the help of this machine, newborns and paediatric patients will be given only the quantity of blood they need, leading to significant conservation of blood.

The regional blood centre received this equipment through CSR support. Along with this, an advanced ‘cryofuge’ machine worth Rs 60 lakh, used for separating blood components, has also been provided. Both machines were inaugurated on Wednesday by dean Dr Shivaji Sukre. Present on the occasion were head of the pathology department Dr Bharat Sonawane, in-charge of the regional blood centre Dr Vaishali Nagose, head of the neonatology department Dr I S Deshmukh, Dr Amol Joshi, head of the paediatrics department Dr Prabha Khaire, associate dean Dr Kashinath Garkal, medical superintendent Dr Suchita Joshi, Dr Pragati Phulgirkar, Dr Salman Shaikh, Anusaya Ghogre, Nikhil Kulkarni, Kishor Bhavare, Devkumar Tayde and others.

Blood supply to thousands of children annually

The regional blood centre collects around 15,000 to 18,000 blood bags annually and supplies blood to 3,000 to 4,000 newborns and paediatric patients every year. Earlier, a 350 ml blood bag had to be issued in all cases. Now, blood can be supplied as per requirement in quantities of 50 ml, 80 ml or 100 ml, informed Dr Bharat Sonawane.

Photo

Dean Dr Shivaji Sukre, head of pathology department Dr Bharat Sonawane, Dr Kashinath Garkal, Dr I S Deshmukh, Dr Amol Joshi and others during the inauguration of the new advanced equipment at the regional blood centre, GMCH.