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Introduction
A national strategic plan was prepared for HIV/AIDS/STD
prevention in 1997 that included Blood safety.
Even in 1999 the paid donor system was prevalent
and 80% of the blood was collected from paid
donors. Red Crescent Blood Centre had started
with the voluntary donor programme and had also
introduced screening of donor blood by rapid
tests. Ministry of Health launched a Safe Blood
Transfusion Programme (SBTP) in 1999 with financial
help from UNDP. 97 Blood Centres were equipped
with ELISA system. However, even after two years
50% of the ELISA equipment were not working.
BTS of Bangladesh will
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Highlights
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Country needs 250,000
units of blood and blood components per
year. Paid blood donors still continue
in Bangladesh specially outside Dhaka
though collection from paid donors has
declined. A major voluntary organization
composed of medical students called “Shandhani”
is running a parallel blood bank to DMCH.
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need to create stock of screened blood and
issue from this stock. The BTS should undergo
modernization to bring about a total change
in the transfusion practice.
Country situation
It is estimated that the country
needs 250,000 units of blood and blood components
per year. Paid blood donors still continue in
Bangladesh specially outside Dhaka though collection
from paid donors has declined. A major voluntary
organization composed of medical students called
“Shandhani” is running a parallel blood bank
to DMCH. In most places ELISA readers and washers
are nonfunctional due to lack of supply of kits.
Even DMCH, a premier institute in the country
is screening blood for HbsAg only. Mostly fresh
whole blood is being transfused. Only Red Crescent
has components on the shelf. All centers lack
in clean, hygienic surroundings and adequate
space for laboratories. Donor motivation programme
is almost non-existent. Training of clinicians
in the rational use of blood is essential.
Current WHO
support
WHO is providing support to voluntary blood
donation, capacity building and strengthening
the laboratory system and laboratory quality
assurance through the regular budget programme.
In addition, WHO is also supporting the implementation
of the GFATM funded project. An agreement between
the government and WHO to provide technical
support to the Safe Blood Transfusion component
of the HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme under an
IDA credit is in the process of finalization.
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