Rare blood types hard to find? New ICMR registry could change that
The National Institute of Immunohaematology in Mumbai under the India Council of Medical Research has for the first time created a national 'rare blood donor registry' for patients with rare and uncommon blood types who need frequent transfusion especially in conditions such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
The
ICMR-NIIH
is now in talks with the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) so that the rare donor registry portal can be integrated with e-Raktakosh, a platform which currently provides information about blood availability, Dr Manisha Madkaikar, Director of ICMR-Centre for Research Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies (CRHCM) in Nagpur said.
The integration will help people with rare blood groups easily trace blood banks and procure blood. It will also assist the blood banks manage their stock and donors through a centralised system.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens
Tips and Tricks
Undo
India, with a population of more than 142 crore, has over 4,000 licensed blood banks, according to the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
India relies heavily on transfusions due to a higher prevalence of blood diseases and complications during pregnancy, Dr Madkaikar said.
Live Events
"Thalassemia itself contributes to 1 to 1.5 lakh patients who require recurrent transfusions," she said.
Additionally, with more than 1,200 road accidents occurring every day in India, and with every year 60 million surgeries, 240 million major operations, 331 million cancer-related procedures, and 10 million pregnancy complications, a serious call for blood transfusion is recognised, she said.
In majority of
blood banks in India
, only ABO and RhD are antigens matched prior to cross-matching for issuing of red blood cell components. However, the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) has recognised more than 360 antigens in 47 blood group systems. Blood banks do not perform testing of these minor blood group antigens routinely, explained Dr Madkaikar.
"As a result, a mismatch of minor antigens between donor and patient blood group (BG) profiles can lead to red cell alloimmunization (1-3 per cent in the general population, 8-18 per cent in thalassaemic patients). About 25 per cent of all immunized patients have been reported to receive unsatisfactory transfusion support due to presence of multiple antibodies or antibodies to high frequency antigens (HFA)," she said.
Rare blood groups are those which lack HFA (1:1000 or less), or are negative for a combination of common antigens, or have a null phenotype.
"Meeting a demand for rare blood supply is challenging and time consuming for such patients. The need of a patient for rare blood can be the start of a series of events that may extend beyond the local blood centre and become a national or even an international search," Dr Madkaikar said.
To overcome this challenge, an inventory of extensively typed blood donors and rare blood type donors is required, she said.
For this, internationally 27 countries have operational national rare donor registry programmes. India, however, is not a contributor country, she said.
In 2019, however, ICMR-NIIH was granted Centre of Excellence project under the aegis of
ICMR
, where an initiative was taken to screen 4,000 'O' group regular blood donors for all clinically important antigens using high throughput molecular assays, from four different regions of India in collaboration with the big blood banks from KEM Hospital Mumbai, PGIMER Chandigarh, MCH Kolkatta and JIPMER Puducherry.
"More than 600 donors negative for combination of antigens were identified along with 250 very rare blood group donors. The registry also includes 170 Bombay blood group donors, which is the commonly required rare blood type in India (approx 120-150 units/year). To access this inventory (ICMR-Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI)), a web-based portal has been developed for systematic requisition and provision of blood to patients on time," Dr Madkaikar said.
"There is a plan to integrate this rare donor registry with e-Raktakosh of DGHS so that all the blood banks can contribute their rare donors and help in expansion of the registry. Last month we held a meeting with the DGHS," she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
ICMR's NIIH develops simple point of care test for haemophilia A, Von Willebrand Disease
A simple and affordable point-of-care test kit has been indigenously developed by the National Institute of Immunohaematology for early diagnosis of genetic bleeding disorders haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease . The test offers a promising alternative to the current standard of care which relies on complex and costly diagnostic procedures limited to very few tertiary facilities in India, Dr Rucha Patil, scientist at the National Institute of Immunohaematology ( NIIH ) in Mumbai, said. Bleeding disorders such as haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) represent significant public health challenges in India due to underdiagnosis and limited access to diagnostic facilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nunca use o saca-rolhas para abrir um vinho. O motivo vai te surpreender Blog Amo Vinhos Undo The point-of-care (PoC) test costs just Rs 582 while the current lab-based tests cost around Rs 2,086, Dr Bipin Kulkarni, scientist, at NIIH, said. The test kit was invented by former scientist Dr Shrimati Shetty and former ICMR postdoctoral fellow from NIIH Dr. Priyanka Kasatkar. Live Events The World Federation for Haemophilia has shown interest in procuring these tests for deployment in countries where the disease is prevalent, Dr Manisha Madkaikar, director of NIIH, Mumbai and Centre for Research Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies (CRHCM) in Nagpur under the ICMR, said. "For India, this new rapid, visual card testing device has made testing possible even at primary health centres bringing diagnosis closer to the people who need it most. By using these PoC kits at PHCs and other local health centres, India can find and treat these bleeding disorders early, improve patient outcomes, and cut healthcare costs dramatically. This is a major step toward improving care for one of the country's most neglected health issues", Dr Madkaikar said. The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) analysis team of ICMR and Department of Health Research (DHR) recommended that the PoC kits for haemophilia A and VWD are suitable for primary facility-based screening and suggested integration of the test into the national health programs at primary healthcare level. This is currently being implemented in different states, Dr Kulkarni said. "This kit could help detect over 83,000 undiagnosed cases", he said, adding, "It would save the health system about Rs 42 crore, which is three times cheaper than the current method". Haemophilia A and VWD are the two most common inherited bleeding disorders. People with these conditions often suffer from joint swelling, easy bruising, muscle bleeding, and in women, heavy menstrual bleeding or complications during childbirth. "India is estimated to have 1.5 lakh people with haemophilia, but only about 27,000 are officially diagnosed," Dr Patil said. "Incidence of haemophilia A is 1 in 5,000 male births. VWD is known to affect 1 per cent of general population," she said. "Haemophilia A is passed down in families through the X chromosome (X linked recessive disorder)", Dr Patil explained. "Boys are usually the ones who have the disease, because they have only one X chromosome. If that X has the faulty gene, they don't have a 'backup' and will show symptoms. Girls usually have two X chromosomes, so if one X has the faulty gene, the other X can often make up for it. These girls are called 'carriers'," he said. "The VWD is an autosomal disease. This means both males and females can get it equally. It is not linked to gender like haemophilia," Dr Patil added.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Which Crystal Is Calling You? Find Out Here!
Crystals are the most beautiful stones not just because they look fascinating but they are filled with healing energies which can connect with you spiritually. These crystals are able to maintain a balance between your mind and body. There are some particular crystals that attract you so much that you become so curious to know each and everything about them and this is the feeling or you can say an instinct, which you need to understand because these signs are not co-incidence , this might be a crystal calling. You need to focus on your energy and that crystal has a purpose in your life. Are you willing to know, which crystal is calling you and the meaning behind that? So let's dive into this amazing reading through, which you can understand that which is your crystal and why are they trying to reach out to you: Crystals and their calling: Amethyst: Amethyst is the crystal, which is used for peace and protection. If you really feel drawn to this amazing and magical crystal then it might be a sign that you need to make a balance between your mind and the body and require inner peace. This crystal encourages your get connected spiritually. If you seeing them somewhere and feel the need to wear it then it might the correct time to understand that you need this badly and your soul is asking for calmness and clarity. Rose Quartz: Rose Quartz is one of the most beautiful crystal which heals you and it is also known as the stone of love so if you are finding difficulty in your relationship and trying to recover from past traumas then you need this crystal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo It will heal your emotional wounds. You are feeling drawn to this crystal because you have seen this somewhere and now you also think that you must wear it or carry it then it is your calling and your sixth sense is guiding you to do this. By wearing it you might attract love in your life and it will also help you to build your self worth. Citrine: Citrine is the powerful stone which is known as the stone of success and confidence. It will enhance your confidence, create new opportunities, motivate you and build strength. People who are looking for growth and creativity then they should wear this. It will bring abundance in your life. Have you ever felt that you need this stone in your life or you liked the hue of this stone? This might be your calling that you are drawn to this crystal and you need it badly. You must wear it as it will expand your energy and bring financial growth in your life. Clear Quartz: Clear Crystal is known as the master healer. Now the name of this crystal explains everything what you need to hear that if you need healing, energy, and clarity in your life then you must wear this amazing crystal as it will build your self confidence to fight back and balance your emotions and thoughts. Have you ever got this feeling to purchase this beautiful stone? Black Tourmaline: Are you feeling drawn to Black Tourmaline? This stone is known as the stone of protections and it gives you protection from all the evil energies and also from those people, who are envy of you so if that powerful stone is attracting you that means you should wear it or carry it with yourself. It will help you to remove from evil energies, negativity and provide you protection from black magic also. You need to safeguard your boundaries and bolster your aura. Black tourmaline helps you regain your focus and protects you from negativity. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Who is Rep. Kat Cammack? Pro-life supporter sheds light on deadly pregnancy and Florida's abortion law
Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack , a staunch anti-abortion Republican and co-chair of the House pro-life caucus , is speaking out about a harrowing ordeal during her pregnancy last year—a personal crisis that has sparked new debate over the real-world impact of restrictive abortion laws, even on their supporters. In May 2024, Cammack, who represents Florida's 3rd congressional district, was rushed to the emergency room after learning her pregnancy was ectopic, a life-threatening condition in which the embryo cannot survive and the mother's life is at serious risk. At the time, Florida's six-week abortion ban had just taken effect. Cammack urgently needed a dose of methotrexate, a medication used to end ectopic pregnancies, but hospital staff hesitated. Doctors and nurses, she said, feared prosecution or loss of their medical licenses if they administered the drug, even though her life was in danger and the pregnancy was nonviable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Cammack described pleading her case, showing hospital staff the state law on her phone and even attempting to contact the governor's office for clarification—without success. 'It was absolute fearmongering at its worst,' she told The Wall Street Journal, emphasizing that what she experienced was not an abortion but a medically necessary intervention to save her life. After several tense hours, she finally received the medication she needed. Cammack, who recently announced she is expecting her first child in August, shared her story publicly to highlight the unintended consequences of abortion restrictions. 'I would stand with any woman – Republican or Democrat – and fight for them to be able to get care in a situation where they are experiencing a miscarriage and an ectopic,' she said. Live Events Her experience underscores the legal confusion and risk-averse climate faced by healthcare providers under strict abortion laws, which can delay or complicate emergency care even for those who support such measures. Cammack's ordeal is now fueling bipartisan calls for clearer guidelines and renewed focus on maternal health, as the U.S. continues to grapple with some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world.
