The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Blood transfusion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Blood transfusion

Sir, — This refers to the article, `Saving lives ... at what cost?" (Magazine, Feb. 20). No doubt, quality blood is a lifesaver in every hospital, urban or rural. For this, blood itself must be preserved in a sound condition, through its journey from the donor to the recipient. There is no such thing as "nearly as good a condition," when we talk about blood for transfusion.

This is what the WHO standards and our own laws on blood banks are all about. Medical professionals, regulatory bodies and society at large should make the system of blood banks work everywhere, including in rural hospitals.

S. Venkataraman,
Mukkola, Kerala

Sir, — The argument that recourse to fresh blood transfusions "may soon be denied to rural doctors" is untenable because the new amendment to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act only makes it mandatory for rural doctors to have a quality blood bank. It does not prohibit them from doing surgical work.

M. Somasekhar Prasad,
Badvel, A.P.

Sir, — The difficulties of a rural practitioner in administering blood have been clearly depicted. The new law should find a practical and humane answer to the problem of fresh blood transfusion.

G. Nagarajan,
Erode, T.N.

Sir, — Striving to provide quality, affordable medical care to the rural population is a monumental task in itself. The whole concept of exhorting doctors to serve the rural populace becomes a mockery when their hands are shackled with such laws.

Christopher Roy,
Chennai

Sir, — The law should be amended to permit hospitals in the rural and semi-urban areas to use Unbanked Direct Blood Transfusion (UDBT) with all necessary screening for HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases as per the WHO guidelines.

P.K. Kesavan,
Kalinjur, T.N.

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