Blood banks told to make availability known in app

Mumbai: Private and government-run blood banks across the city have been asked to put their stock availability status online, a move that could end the search for blood or donors during medical emergencies.

The National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) recently issued the notice that has asked that real-time information be provided via a mobile application and blood distribution be made more transparent.

An Android app called National Health Portal Service (NHPS) was developed a year ago to provide users information about the location of hospitals and blood banks in their vicinity, and now it will show the availability of blood and groups. Talking to The Asian Age, Dr Arun Thorat, additional director of the State Blood Transfusion Council, said, “We want to make things more transparent and smooth. People run from pillar to post
for their blood requirements.”

“This will make it easier for patients’ kin to get blood at the right time without having to run around during emergencies. It willeventually bring more transparency,” Dr Thorat said.

In the same notice, the NBTC has also directed blood banks to prominently display their stock information on the premises for the viewing of general public.

To overcome a non-availability of blood, which was brought to public attention by the media a few days ago, the NBTC had organised the transfer of blood from other blood banks in Mumbai. “The State Blood Transfusion Council has ordered all the city-based blood banks to organise a blood donation drive in the city and collect the blood,” said Dr Thorat.