Recently, the Union Health Minister emphasized the necessity of utilizing the e-Raktkosh portal for maintaining real-time, comprehensive information on the status of each blood group’s stocks. The availability of blood in blood banks, according to the Health Minister, is ‘essential’.
This is particularly significant for a number of blood disorders such as thalassemia and hemophilia where regular blood transfusion is essential. The aim is to streamline and enhance the standard operating procedures, guidelines, and workflow of blood banks across the nation through a centralized and comprehensive IT solution.
Understanding the Key Components of e-Raktkosh Portal
Inaugurated on 7th April 2016 by the then Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoHWFW), the e-Raktkosh portal stands as a Centralized Blood Bank Management System. It aligns with the Drug & Cosmetic Act, National blood policy standards, and guidelines to ensure the proper management of blood.
The portal has multiple components that manage the various stages of the blood donation life cycle. These include a Biometric Donor Management System, processes for blood grouping, TTI screening, and antibody screening. There’s also a centralized Blood Inventory Management System and a Bio-Medical Waste Management System for safe disposal of discarded blood.
Blood Disorders: A Brief Overview
A blood disorder is a health condition that affects one or more elements of the blood, typically disrupting its functionality. These disorders can be broadly categorized into two groups – common blood disorders, such as anemia, and rare blood disorders, like thalassemia.
Insight into Different Types of Blood Disorders
There are four fundamental types of blood disorders categorized based on which part of the blood they affect:
1. Blood Disorders Affecting Red Blood Cells – These include anemia, pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency), aplastic anemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and more.
2. Blood Disorders that Affect White Blood Cells – Common disorders in this category are lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
3. Blood Disorders Affecting Blood Plasma – Hemophilia is a typical example of this type of disorder.
4. Blood Disorders Affecting Platelets – Thrombocytopenia is one such disorder impacting the blood platelets.
Managing these blood disorders require constant oversight of blood stocks in blood banks, something that the e-Raktkosh portal aims to provide. By leveraging technology, this portal encourages better inventory management, making it easier to ensure that those in need receive timely access to blood. This initiative highlights the essential role of technology in healthcare, especially in life-saving departments like blood bank management.