How transfusion safety gaps put thalassaemia patients at HIV risk, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Many thalassaemia patients have contracted HIV and Hepatitis C due to gaps in blood transfusion safety.
• The proposed National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025 aims to establish a safer and more accountable framework for screening donated blood.
• Most blood banks use ELISA tests, while advocacy groups are pushing for mandatory NAAT testing for donated blood.
• Voluntary blood donation is considered safer as healthy individuals are more likely to donate.

Detailed Insights:

• Thalassaemia patients require regular blood transfusions, increasing their risk of contracting blood-borne infections if safety protocols are not stringent.
• The window period, during which infections are undetectable, is shorter with NAAT tests (9-11 days) compared to ELISA tests (around three weeks).
• While testing for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, syphilis, and malaria is mandatory, most blood banks use the less sensitive ELISA tests.
• The National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025 seeks to address the current gaps in blood transfusion safety and mandate NAAT testing.
• Making NAAT testing mandatory could increase the cost of processing blood by approximately Rs 1,000 per blood bag.
• Ensuring voluntary blood donation can improve safety, as healthy individuals are more likely to donate and less likely to conceal infections.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Thalassaemia: A genetic blood disorder requiring regular transfusions.
• ELISA Test: A common antibody screening method used in blood banks.
• NAAT Test: A sophisticated test to screen for genetic material of viruses in donated blood.
• Window Period: The time between infection and when a test can detect it.