AJ Hospital observes World Blood Donor Day

Mangaluru: AJ Hospital and Research Centre organised a programme ‘voluntary blood donation week’ at its conference hall on Wednesday, June 12, to mark ‘World Blood Donor Day’. Meanwhile, a Fully Automated Cell Separator  (single donor platelet – apheresis ) machine was also inaugurated on the same occasion.

Dean of AJ Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre Dr Ashok Hegde inaugurated the programme in the presence of medical director Dr Prashanth Marla, medical administration director Dr. Amitha P Marla among others. After inaugurating the programme Dr Ashok Hegde said, AJ Blood Bank has been in the forefront of innovation and modern technology in blood banking and transfusion medicine. The continuous upgrade of Blood Bank and all necessary infrastructure at  AJ Hospital and Research Centre has been possible only due to the continuous support of A J Shetty, chairman of AJ Group of Institutions. The hospital has been creating awareness about the need of blood donation occasionally, he informed.

Meanwhile, eminent transfusion medicine specialist Dr. Ankith Mathur delivered a guest lecture on the topic ‘Apheresis and its applications in clinical practice’.

Features of Fully Automated Cell Separator

This equipment helps in Apheresis technology in which blood is withdrawn from donor or patient in an anticoagulant solution and separated into components. One component is retained and remaining constituents are returned to the individual. The advantage is its simplicity in operation as a single venepuncture is required. The added advantage is that a donor can donate within a week as compared to traditional donation, where a minimum of three months are required between one voluntary blood donation to the other. 

Blood Bank officer Dr Aravind P welcomed the gathering and Blood Bank quality and technical manager P R Gopalakrishna proposed vote of thanks. Dr Varsha from PG-Pathology compered the programme. The voluntary blood donation programme will be continued till June 18.