Karnataka Faces Blood Donation Wastage Despite Increased Contributions
Karnataka discards over 700 units of donated blood weekly despite rise in donations
Deccan Herald
Image: Deccan Herald
In Karnataka, approximately 735 units of donated blood are discarded weekly, totaling 38,294 units annually, despite a 5% rise in donations from 2022-23 to 2025-26. Factors include short shelf life of components and infections among donors.
- 01Karnataka discards about 735 units of blood weekly due to expiry and infections.
- 02The discard rate decreased from 3.99% in 2022-23 to 3.7% in 2025-26.
- 03Platelets, which expire in five days, are a significant reason for waste during low demand periods.
- 04Technical issues like leakage and clotting also contribute to blood wastage.
- 05The health department is pushing for NABH accreditation to enhance blood bank practices.
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In Karnataka, an average of 735 units of donated blood are discarded each week, totaling approximately 38,294 units annually, despite a 5% increase in blood donations from 2022-23 to 2025-26. The Karnataka State Blood Transfusion Council (KSBTC) attributes this wastage to several factors, including the short shelf life of blood components, particularly platelets, which last only five days. Additionally, 0.2% to 0.7% of blood units are discarded due to infections such as HIV and hepatitis. Although the discard rate has improved from 3.99% to 3.7%, experts believe better inventory management and practices could further reduce waste. The World Health Organization (WHO) allows a discard rate of up to 5%, emphasizing the importance of proper temperature control and clinical usage of blood components. In response to these challenges, the health department has mandated that all blood banks in Karnataka obtain NABH accreditation to improve quality and reduce wastage. Dr. Latha Jagannathan, a medical director at Bangalore Medical Services Trust, stresses the importance of maintaining thorough documentation and quality processes in blood banks.
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The high discard rate of donated blood can lead to shortages during critical times, affecting patients in need, especially during health crises like dengue outbreaks.
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