The regional blood transfusion centre in Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru.
| Photo Credit: H.S. Manjunath
Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader is in favour of blood banks not demanding replacement of blood from those who purchased it.During a recent meeting to review works and address issues concerning Government Wenlock Hospital, an official from District Blood Transfusion Office, which oversees 14 blood banks in Dakshina Kannada, said blood banks in the region have stopped asking for replacement blood from those who purchased it from them.The official said the fresh frozen plasma (FFP) extracted from the blood donated has a shelf life of a year. Apart from giving FFP to the needy, the blood banks sell FFP at the rate prescribed by the State Government to pharmacy firms that derive products namely Immunoglobulins and albumin from the FFP. As there is good stock of FFP and other blood derivatives from the donated blood, the blood banks decided against insisting on replacement blood for selling FFP to those who need it.“The blood banks in the district have stopped seeking replacement blood. It will be good if similar measure is taken by blood banks across the State. With this measure, there will be reduction by about 50% of instances of seeking blood replacement,” the official said.Favouring adoption of the same practice by blood banks across the State, Mr. Khader asked the district official to submit a proposal in this regard to his office.As per the information made available on the e-Raktkosh (eraktkosh.mohfw.gov.in), a centralised blood centre management system of the Union government, the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre of the Government Wenlock Hospital, on Tuesday, has a stock of FFP pertaining to A-, B+, B-, O+, AB+, AB-, A+ and O- blood groups. It also has stock of packed red blood cells, another component derived from whole blood, of all eight blood groups mentioned above. The centre has stock of platelet concentrate of B+, O+, AB+ and A+ blood groups. It also has stock of whole blood from B+, O+ve and AB+ blood groups.There is stock of FFP in bloods banks in Father Muller Hospital, KMC Attavar Hospital, A.J. Hospital and Research Centre, City Hospital Reseach and Diagnostic Centre, Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences Mukka, KVG Medical College Sullia, Yenopya Medical College, Kanachur Hospital and Nitte University Blood Centre in Deralakatte, Alva’s Rotary Blood Bank in Moodbidri, and Rotary Campco Blood Centre in Puttur. Published - July 21, 2026 07:24 pm IST
