World Blood Donor day is observed on the 14th of June every year. The theme this year is Give Blood, Give Now, and Give Often highlighting the urgent requirement of blood during causalities, emergencies, accidents, and how as humans we can enable and help each other overcome these adverse situations.
57[1] countries collect 100% of their blood supply from voluntary, unpaid blood donors. In low-income countries, 65% of blood transfusions are given to children under 5 years of age. In high-income countries, the most frequently transfused patient group is 65 years of age, accounting for up to 76% of all transfusions. Data reported to WHO shows significant increases of voluntary unpaid blood donations in low- and middle-income countries.
This World Blood Donor Day, Dr Seema Sinha, Head – Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Noida, shares a few facts associated with blood donation:
Facts to be kept in mind Pre & Post Blood Donation
Before Blood Donation
After Blood Donation
Myths & Facts associated with Blood Donation
Dr Kiran Dalal, Chief Dietician , Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad talks about the food to eat before and after donating blood.
Diet before donating Blood:
Diet after donating Blood:
There is lack of awareness about blood donation in India. There was 10 per cent short of its blood requirement in 2015-16 as oppose to 17 per cent shortage in 2013-2014. Shortages may also be due to the fact that there is no central collection agency, leaving the logistics of collecting blood to single blood banks and local governments.An imperative requirement, blood donation needs to take place on a larger scale. People need to be more aware of the steps involved in donating blood and if they are eligible to do so or not. There is an urgent need to replenish this indispensable commodity.
[1]http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs279/en/
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