New blood test to make transfusions safer for thalassaemia patients at KGMU

Lucknow: The King George’s Medical University (KGMU) has introduced an advanced blood test to make transfusions safer for thalassaemia patients.Unlike routine tests that match only the main blood groups (A, B, AB, O, Rh), this new method also studies smaller antigens in red cells to prevent side effects due to repeated transfusions.Launched on the eve of World Thalassaemia Day, the initiative will benefit nearly 500 patients who depend on transfusions every few weeks.Head of transfusion medicine, Prof Tulika Chandra said, “This test will prevent risks of fever and side effects due to transfusion. The new test also checks blood of donor and patient in detail, helping doctors provide safer and better-matched transfusions for thalassaemia patients.”