Safe blood transfusion

Recently, some newspapers have reported that many public hospitals around the country operate the blood transfusion process without the required medical tests. Such a practice is obviously unsafe and constitutes a grave threat to pregnant mothers and newborns.

According to the World Health Organisation, at least five tests are required for a safe blood transfusion. Receiving blood into one's body without having conducted these tests could be life threatening for the recipient. Therefore, such a practice is not acceptable at all. The authorities should take steps to ensure that all public and private hospitals strictly follow WHO's procedure while conducting blood transfusions.

Md Tarek Aziz Bappi, By e-mail