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Role of blood centers in COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19) has resulted in reduction of supply of blood and blood components and adversely affected blood centers in the country. It is time for blood centers to assess, plan, and respond appropriately to the need and demand for blood. Blood inventory should be constantly monitored so that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent shortages. This is particularly critical for components with short shelf life, such as platelets, where a constant supply is needed for patients dependent on platelet transfusions. In such crisis, cooperation among hospitals and blood centers is important to utilise blood components and prevent wastage.

Pre-donation criteria for donor suitability remains the same as in pre-COVID times but due to coronavirus disease blood centers have to specifically elicit past history of SARS-COV-2 infection and see the eligibility of donors as per the guidelines. Symptomatic individuals who are unwell or with signs and symptoms of fever, cough or breathlessness must be excluded. Though, in the absence of reported cases, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through transfusion of blood and components is considered minimal but symptomatic donors have to be excluded.

Blood donors are not willing to donate through fear of being infected during blood donation. A clear communication, awareness and right information is key to addressing and overcoming donor anxiety and fears which they have. Effective public awareness on the importance of maintaining an adequate blood supply, need for blood donors, and safety of the donation process should be disseminated continuously, using different communication platforms to reach all segments of the population. Blood donation remains affected because people living in the containment zones are not able to come for blood donation freely. Blood collection teams also avoided visiting such area due to restrictions. During this pandemic, outdoor blood donation drives reduced considerably due to closure of workplaces, colleges and institutions. To overcome this, blood collection strategies were to be changed like providing donor transportation, efforts to schedule appointments for donations, or adjusting working hours at the blood center. Making passes available for donors.

There was increase in the demand from hospitals for convalescent plasma for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Demand for blood and components relatively decreased as outpatient department shut down, all routine surgeries suspended and non-urgent clinical cases were deferred but, blood transfusions is still necessary for emergency situations such as trauma, postpartum haemorrhage, severe anaemia, blood dyscrasias, and urgent surgeries requiring availability of blood.

Many non-governmental organisations came forward during this pandemic to organize blood donation camps but the turnout of voluntary donors was disappointing. There was fall in blood donations due to lockdown orders, donor anxiety and fear of COVID-19 infection during blood donation, which often stems from popular misconceptions and misinformation. These factors have hindered blood donors from accessing blood centers.

To improve blood donations and mitigate potential risks for blood donors, the following should be implemented: (1) public awareness campaigns through local radio and TV, newspapers, social media platforms, bulk text messaging and direct call donors (2) transporting donors to and from their homes with authorization (3) providing facemasks, hand washing equipment and sanitizers (4) modifying donor screening questionnaire for exposure to COVID-19 and (5) temperature measurement.

During this pandemic crisis there is need of collaborative effort from blood donors, community, blood transfusion services, and administration to deal with challenges being faced by healthcare facilities.

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