Public–private tie-ups key to safer blood services: MAHE Pro-VC

Udupi: "Public and private partnership is important to strengthen blood transfusion services in our country. Such collaborations will help improve quality, safety and accessibility of blood services for patients," said Sharath Rao, pro-vice chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education.Dr Rao was speaking at a one-day workshop on ‘Strengthening Public–Private Collaboration in Blood Transfusion Services' organised by National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC), directorate general of health services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in collaboration with Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, at Dr TMA Pai Hall in Manipal, Wednesday. He appreciated the department of immunohematology and blood transfusion (IHBT), KMC Manipal, for its continuous efforts to provide high-quality blood products and maintain strong safety standards.The workshop brought together over 100 medical officers and blood centre in-charges from South and Eastern India to discuss challenges, share knowledge and improve coordination in blood transfusion services.Megha Pravin Khobragade, deputy director general (BTS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, said the workshop aimed to address key challenges faced by private blood centres and to build a more efficient and safe blood service system across the country.Programme coordinator Shamee Shastry said this was the first workshop of its kind where private blood centres had direct interaction with NBTC, calling it an important step towards improving blood safety and quality standards nationwide. National experts led the scientific sessions.Dr Khobragade spoke on National Blood Policy, while Dr Shastry discussed quality assurance and EQAS. Dr Ganesh Mohan moderated a session on challenges faced by private blood centres. Mayank demonstrated e-RaktKosh. Dr Purushottam Puri spoke on promoting voluntary blood donation, Dr Deepika Chenna explained Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT), and Dr Ruby Khan discussed capacity building and human resource development.