The Rotary-supported blood bank in the Indian town of
With the upgrade, the blood bank will be beneficial to a population of about 200,000 people, including about 40 surrounding villages. The city of
The Rotary-supported blood bank is the only blood bank in the area. "We have very good relations with the hospitals. The hospitals request us for the requirement of blood and send us the requisition and blood samples of the patients. We then cross match the sample and issue them the blood. We also educate the relatives of the patients as voluntary blood donors. In particular, the upgrade will prevent a great loss of collected donor blood," the two Rotarian doctors tell GNBD.
The blood bank was started ten years ago. The blood is collected at blood drives in nearby places and only from voluntary donors.
"The biggest hurdle in our way is the funds for the project. In case you could help us out in furthering the project, in whatever way you can, it will be your great compassionate gesture towards the community of Nipani," the two Rotarian doctors point out in their mail to GNBD.
They hope to be able to expand the blood bank with "storage for blood components and a separation facility." For this, the Nipani Blood Bank requires the following machines:
* Two blood bank refrigerators with 300-liter capacity with temperature monitoring and recording capacity with charts and audible alarms.
* One electronic plasma expresser.
* One platelet agitator with temperature control.
* One desktop tube sealer.
* Portable tube sealer.
* One donor couch.
Contacts:
Dr. Suhas Shah, e-mail: sr_oral7@yahoo.co.in
Dr. Pankaj Deshamane, e-mail: ssdeshmane@bsnl.in