WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2020 - Risk of transmission of Covid 19 through transfusion of blood and blood components is negligible
Article By: Dr Madhan Kumar B K, Consultant and Head of the Department- Transfusion Medicine, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai World Blood Donor Day is observed every year on 14 th June. The day is celebrated to raise awareness of the need for safe blood, blood components and to thank the donors for providing a gift of life. The current situation in India is similar in all parts of the country; all blood centres are experiencing shortage of blood, causing big strain on blood supply due to COVID - 19 pandemic . A blood centre that provides safe blood in good quality is a key factor of effective health system . Covid-19 virus outbreak is primarily transmitted through the respiratory system and risk of transmission through transfusion of blood & blood components is minimal. Therefore, any potential risk of infection transmission by transfusion of blood collected from individuals is theoretical and likely minimal. Donating blood r...