Pune (Voice News Service): KEM Hospital, Pune organised a special programme to mark 50 years of its blood bank recently . Around 20 regular donors and 45 camp organizers were felicitated for their selfless deeds. The KEM Pune blood bank is one of the oldest in Pune and has grown and flourished under the determined and able leadership of Dr. Jeroo Coyaji, Hon. Administrator of the Blood Bank since March 1972. Dr. J Coyaji was felicitated for her enormous contribution to the blood bank.
Dr.Kurus Coyaji, President KEM Hospital Society, Dr.Jeroo Coyaji , Dr.FF Wadia , Trustee and Director of the Department of Nephrology, Dr. Xerses Coyaji, Medical Director , Dr. Vishwanath Yemul Medical Administrator , Dr. Madhur Rao, Senior Deputy Medical Administrator, Dr. Anand Chaphekar, Chief BTO (Blood Transfusion Officer) in charge of the Blood Bank at KEM Hospital were present on the occasion.
Dr.FF Wadia, Dr.Yemul and Dr.Anand Chandekar spoke on the occasion. The citation for Dr. Jeroo Coyaji was read out by Dr. Madhur Rao. On behalf of blood donors and camp organisers Ram Bangad, President of Raktache Nate, Dinesh Shah, Dr.Sachin Jathar, Narendra Rane also spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Anand Chaphekar, Chief BTO (blood transfusion officer) and In charge of Blood Bank at KEM Hospital has witnessed the evolution of this unit since 1984. He said that the blood bank has been helping patients during surgeries, trauma and all types of treatment which may need the back up of blood and blood products. Today the blood bank has a team of 27 skilled members including doctors, technicians, nurses and support staff.Dr. Chaphekar added that the blood bank has been a witness to all the changes that happened in the last five decades in the field of transfusion medicine. The seventies had glass bottles for blood collection and use, which were later replaced by plastic bags followed by integrated plastic bags. Till about four decades ago blood was considered as a whole and single factor. In 1988 KEM Pune was amongst the first blood banks in the city to introduce component separation which included red cells, plasma and platelets. Today component separation is an essential part and a norm of every blood bank which has amplified its use for more patients in need. In the early 2000s this was followed by Leukocyte Reduction to remove WBCs from platelets.
Our Blood Bank has been at the forefront of pioneering and adopting new techniques and technologies which have helped the blood bank transform into a state-of-the-art facility. The blood bank has been one of the first to adopt new technologies like Phenotyping, three cell panel antibody screening for every donor and patient, identification of antibodies and issue of antigen negative blood, Nucleic Acid Amplification Test, or NAAT, a type of viral diagnostic test which adds another safety layer etc., he added.
Dr. Madhur Rao, Senior Deputy Medical Administrator KEM Hospital Pune said ‘bound by our vision of Quality and Ethics in patient care, our blood bank is a center of excellence. Stringent protocols, modern technologies, skilled manpower and safety have been the main pillars of blood bank operations throughout the five decades of its existence. The blood bank has been a part of every procedure and multidisciplinary effort thus proving lifesaving for many. We will continue to drive down this path to deliver quality care to all’.
