We currently run an NGO hospital in India. Over a five year period our services have expanded particularly for women and children health. It is clear from our prospective data collection, that blood transfusion services are lacking and urgently needed to service over 500,000 people. We have already built an run a hospital, so for a low cost we are able to provide a blood bank service.
Patients travel for 2 hours to find blood for their elective procedures. They have no way of finding a local source. In an emergency there is no facility for emergency, semi emergency blood products.
As we already have an NGO hospital with laboratory facilities, we are able to provide this essential service. Also, we have a ready group of donors as we have excellent community relations.
Our catchment has a non-migratory population of 500,000 people. Their need for blood products significant. Last year we provided services requiring blood transfusion to 6000 people. These included women after birth, elective and emergency surgery, and people who were anaemic secondary to cancer or heavy periods. Our assessment of the area suggests that by providing the blood bank service, we will be able to improve health economics for the patients.
