PREPAREDNESS TO ORGANIZING A VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION CAMP

Introduction: Human blood is an important element of human life with no substitute. Voluntary blood donors are the cornerstone of a secure and adequate supply of blood and blood products. The safest blood donors are voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors from low-risk populations. Blood donors in India, as across the world, are of three types; voluntary donors, replacement donors and professional donors. Most donations are as a result of replacement donations, which are non-remunerated donations, provided by the relatives of patients. Professional donors are those that donate blood in exchange for money. Replacement and professional donors could also be compelled to donate blood, though their health conditions are unsuitable to donate blood. They do not help to maintain a stock of blood for emergency situations. Moreover, they do not provide rare blood groups. These points are indicating the necessity and importance of voluntary blood donations. The success of blood donation camp depends on people that organize the camp and bank team. Aim: The aim of this report is to debate about the importance of voluntary blood donation and to guide the camp organizer, medic, and also other team members involving in voluntary blood donation camp to arrange the camp efficiently. Discussion: The aim of blood donation camp is to pick an appropriate donor whose blood is safe to the recipients, and who himself shall not in any way be harmed by blood donation. Outdoor voluntary blood donation camps in India are organized in three phases. They are pre-camp phase, camp phase, post-camp phase. Conducting voluntary blood donation camp in the regular basis will increase the stock of blood units in bank which is required for optimum functioning of the health-care system. Conclusion: The organization of blood donation camp should be best and safe to the patient/recipients and to the donor also. With increase in population and development of more advanced medical and surgical procedures, the necessity for blood is ever increasing. Only voluntary blood donors can help to take care of an adequate supply of blood to save lots of the lives of these who in need. They were the sources of safe blood also.