World Blood Donor Day is noticed on June 14 yearly to boost world consciousness concerning the want for secure blood and blood merchandise for transfusion, and of the essential contribution of voluntary, unpaid donors. “The day additionally offers a possibility to name to motion to governments and nationwide well being authorities to offer enough assets and put into place methods and infrastructures to extend the gathering of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors,” mentioned Dr Richa Agarwal, chief of laboratory and blood financial institution, Jaslok Hospital and Analysis Centre.
She added that secure blood and blood merchandise and their transfusion are essential points of care and public well being. It may possibly save tens of millions of lives, and enhance the well being and high quality of many sufferers. The necessity for blood is common, however entry to blood for all those that want it isn’t. Blood shortages are significantly acute in creating nations.
“In the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, blood banks throughout the globe want the assistance of blood donors, together with blood drives, to satisfy the wants of affected person care. This yr’s slogan, ‘Give blood and hold the world-beating’, goals to boost consciousness throughout a time of disaster, reaching out to all eligible donors to contribute in direction of sustaining provides of secure blood,” Dr Agarwal informed indianexpress.com, including, “By donating blood, it can save you somebody’s life. It additionally lets you full your social duties.”
Whereas the world continues to be combating a pandemic, Dr Agarwal mentioned that wholesome people can nonetheless donate in areas which have issued a shelter in place declarations or are working beneath a phased reopening plan. “All blood banks observe the very best requirements of security and an infection management, and voluntary donors are the one supply of blood for these in want. As hospitals resume surgical procedures and coverings that had been quickly paused attributable to Covid-19, there may be an acute, fixed scarcity of blood, stopping procedures for these in want of surgical procedures. Therefore communities are urged to exit and donate blood,” she mentioned.
Ensure to drink sufficient water earlier than you donate blood. (Picture: Getty Photographs/Thinkcstock)
She shared that blood banks throughout India are following Nationwide Blood Transfusion Council tips for blood donation eligibility. Blood may be safely donated after a interval of three months, if the standards for donation are fulfilled. This time is required to replenish the shops in our physique. This extraordinary effort throughout a time of unprecedented disaster highlights the essential function of properly–organised, dedicated voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors in making certain a secure and adequate blood provide throughout regular and emergency occasions.
“With the continuing covid -19 pandemic, it’s prudent to offer the blood financial institution with particulars of the vaccine whereas donating blood. The deferral interval for blood donors is 14 days after receiving every/any dose of the presently accessible Covid -19 vaccines within the nation topic to the situation that the donor confirms to the opposite norms for blood donation,” she mentioned.
Primarily based on the historical past of a blood donor to covid-19 an infection, people ought to defer donating blood for 28 days from the day of discharge/isolation and full restoration from the illness together with radiological and virological clearance.
Earlier than donating blood:
*Get loads of sleep the night time earlier than you propose to donate.
*Eat a wholesome meal earlier than donation. Keep away from fatty meals, similar to a hamburger, fries, or ice cream.
*Drink loads of water earlier than donation.
*Test if the drugs you take or just lately took forestall you from donating. For instance, if you’re a platelet donor, it’s essential to not take aspirin for 2 days previous to donating.
*Chill out; nervousness could cause your blood strain to drop and result in dizziness.
After donating blood:
After donating, sit in an remark space the place you’ll be able to relaxation and eat a lightweight snack. After quarter-hour, you’ll be able to go away. However notice:
*Drink further fluids.
*Keep away from strenuous bodily exercise or heavy lifting for about 5 hours.
*Should you really feel lightheaded, lie down together with your toes up till the sensation passes.
*Hold the bandage on for 2- 3 hours.
*In case you have bleeding after eradicating the bandage, put strain on the positioning and lift your arm till it stops.
*If bruising happens, apply a chilly pack to the realm periodically in the course of the first 24 hours.
*Think about including iron-rich meals to your food plan to switch the iron misplaced with blood donation.
