Centre snaps lifeline of private nursing homes

Private blood banks are opposing the notification on the grounds that they are the sole source of blood for private hospitals and that Red Cross blood banks are not able to meet the demand. Says Dr Dilip Shah of Green Cross Blood Bank, “Except Red Cross blood banks, no one gives blood to private hospitals. And Red-Cross blood banks close at 6 pm. It is only private blood banks which are open round-the-clock.”

Besides, private blood banks’ capacity to keep up blood supply to private nursing homes cannot be matched by the Red Cross. “While some 10-odd private blood banks in the city supply around 6,000 units a month, Red Cross gives only about 300 units,” said a pathologist requesting anonymity.

But are blood donation camps essential for private blood banks? Yes, say many doctors. “Though we insist on replacement of blood, we have to go without it in many case. If a patient has no relatives or if he is from another State, how can you ask him to replace 10 units of blood?” asked Dr Shah. Of the total blood input of private blood banks, some 20 per cent comes from blood donation camps. “And so replacement blood is not enough for us to maintain a buffer stock. We need to conduct blood donation camps to maintain some buffer stock.” Besides, up to 3 per cent of the replacement blood is to be discarded after it tests positive to such diseases as HIV or hepatitis B.

Even private nursing homes say that they cannot do without private blood banks. Gynaecologist Dr Manisha H Doshi of Binal Prasuti Gruh said, “When a patient is serious, it is very difficult to mobilise large quantity of blood from one place. We have to depend on private blood banks; they are essential. If we do not get enough blood, we have to send the patient to the Civil Hospital.”

A senior doctor at an AMC-run hospital said, “The notification is unfair. On the one hand, the Government has given these blood banks licence and on the other, it is restraining them from holding blood donation camps. Besides, the blood need of Ahmedabad cannot be met by just one Red Cross blood bank. Just as private nursing homes exist along with Government hospitals, private blood banks also should be there.”

When contacted Red Cross medical officer Dr Kokilaben Shastri did not agree that Red Cross was unable to meet the city’s blood demand. She said the Red Cross’s blood bank in the city generated some 1,500 units every month. About the closing time of Red Cross blood bank, she said they were considering extending the closing time.

However, FDCA commissioner S P Adesara sad that the aim of the notification was to regulate blood tapping. “The Centre acted after it was noticed that private blood banks in some States were careless and were using inducement for blood donation.” He said private firms would have to organise blood donation camps in collaboration with any of the notified 65 blood banks.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Bhatt also defended the notification saying that private blood banks induce people to donate blood, which is unfair. “They get blood for free, which is then sold for a price. Besides, blood donation camps by private blood banks affects flow of blood to Government hospitals.”