Govt Rajaji Hospital tops TN in blood donation

Madurai: With donations of 30,047 units of blood in 2024, surpassing the 28,810 units in 2023, the blood bank at Government Rajaji Hospital has topped the state in blood donations. Doctors said the hospital has been able to manage 100% of the patients' needs for blood over the past year, thanks to donors from different walks of life, from colleges to organisations.Dr M Sintha, head of the Department of Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, said the blood bank has been selected for an award at national level. "The blood collected is 100% screened and analysed. The hospital has also identified as many as 29 rare ‘O' negative and ‘Bombay' blood group donors. We are constantly in touch with them for any urgent blood requirements," she added. A total of 208 blood donation camps were organised by GRH last year.Apart from large amounts of donated blood being used for treatment during bleeding in pregnancy cases, emergency trauma cases, and surgeries, the donated blood is also used for treating blood disorders like thalassemia. "After the Covid-19 pandemic, a fear to donate blood was prevalent among people. But, with awareness, the attitude is changing," said A Rajkumar, district secretary, Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Madurai. While student donors were common, they were trying to work with private companies to conduct blood donation camps,. he said.GRH alone needs more than 100 units of blood every day. Many people are keen to donate when they come to know that donating blood is a sign of good health and does them no harm, said Rajkumar who has donated blood 54 times so far.GRH dean Dr L Arul Sundaresh Kumar on Saturday felicitated colleges whose student volunteers donated most units of blood to the blood bank in 2024. The first prize was won by The American College student volunteers who donated 1,223 units of blood, followed by volunteers of NMSS Vellaichamy Nadar College, and Thiagarajar Engineering College. Volunteer blood donors through fan clubs of popular Tamil film actors or political organisations have also come forward for blood donations.