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Worldwide, Bad Blood Transfusions Cause an Annual 8-16 Million Hepatitis B Virus Infections
Worldwide, bad transfusions cause an annual estimated 8 to 16 million hepatitis B virus infections, 2.3 to 5 million hepatitis C virus infections. F ive to ten per cent of HIV infection cases are transmitted through transfusion of infected blood or tainted blood products. There is no substitute for blood, and modern society depends on blood donated by humans.
“The blood bank system in Pakistan largely operates on donations from commercially paid donors, and several studies have shown such individuals to be the most unsafe,” said Dr Bushra Moiz, Assistant Professor and Consultant Haematologist at Aga Khan University (AKU). She was speaking at a seminar on “Common Blood Transfusion Issues” at the University.
Dr Moiz warned that commercial donors tend to come from an environment where HIV and hepatitis is common and contrasted such donors to those who are voluntary and family donors. At Aga Khan University Hospital 's (AKUH) computerised blood banking system, every donor undergoes exhaustive verbal screening and only voluntary or family donors are entertained. Hospital policies ensure donor safety and protect recipients to the maximum - all blood is screened for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C and malaria. Individuals who happen to be fasting should refrain from donating during fasting hours.
Speaking on “Rational and Safe Use of Blood and Blood Products”, AKU's Senior Instructor and Consultant Haematologist, Dr Safoorah Khalid said that blood component therapy can benefit as well as harm the patient. Good clinical practice depends on understanding both the benefits and risks associated with it and transfusion should be undertaken only if anticipated benefits outweigh the potential risks. A multi - pronged approach, including stringent donor selection criteria and the education of both donor and public on the need for safe blood, is needed to improve the safety of blood supply.
Speaking on “Complications and Management of Blood Transfusion Reactions”, AKU's Assistant Professor and Consultant Haematologist, Dr Muhammad Usman Sheikh said that adverse reactions can occur with any blood component.
An introduction to “Maximum Surgical Blood Order Schedule” (MSBOS) was presented by Dr Tabish Chawla, Assistant Professor and Consultant General Surgeon at AKU. MSBOS provides guidelines for frequently performed elective surgical procedures by recommending the maximum number of units of blood to be cross matched pre-operatively. Its implementation has almost universally resulted in substantial reduction of direct and indirect costs. It has also proven to be an effective tool for overall quality assurance in blood transfusion services.
For the benefit of referring physicians and their patients, AKU regularly organises Continued Medical Education (CME) seminars and workshops. These programmes are designed to provide a current, practical update on the management of medical problems faced by primary care physicians and specialists.
For further information, please contact:
Department of Public Affairs
Aga Khan University
Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi-74000.
Fax: 493 4294, 493 2095
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