Why in the News?
The ICMR has launched the Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is further planning to integrate the RDRI with the e-Rakt Kosh Digital platform.
What are Rare Blood Types?
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About the Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI):
- Launch: It was launched by the ICMR–National Institute of Immunohaematology (NIIH) in collaboration with four regional medical institutes.
- Purpose: It aims to address the shortage of rare blood types such as Bombay (hh), Rh-null, and P-Null, critical for patients with thalassemia, haemophilia, and sickle cell disease.
- Uniqueness: Over 4,000 donors have been screened using multiplex PCR, suited for Indian genetic diversity, and catalogued using 300+ rare blood markers.
- Rare Phenotypes Tracked: The registry focuses on rare phenotypes defined by the absence of high-frequency antigens; already 170 Bombay group donors have been identified.
- Key Features:
- DNA-Based Testing: Molecular assays are used for accurate donor typing, enabling a centralised national database accessible through a dedicated web portal.
- Integration with e-Rakt Kosh: RDRI is designed to be integrated with e-Rakt Kosh, enabling cross-platform donor search and matching by medical professionals nationwide.
- Real-Time Support: The platform allows secure data access, real-time requisitions, and timely transfusion support for patients requiring rare blood types.
- Global Linkages: The initiative aims to connect with International Rare Donor Panels and develop a frozen rare blood inventory to ensure long-term availability.
- Challenges: Key challenges include low awareness, shortage of trained personnel, and lack of antibody screening at decentralised blood banks.
What is E-Rakt Kosh?
- Overview: e-Rakt Kosh is a national digital platform developed by C-DAC under the National Health Mission, launched in 2016.
- Real-Time Information: It offers live updates on blood availability, donor records, and donation camp details across India via a centralised interface.
- National Coverage: The system covers over 3,800 blood centres across 29 states and 8 Union Territories, integrated with UMANG, e-Hospital, and the National Health Portal.
- Notable features include:
- Donor Safety and Tagging: It maintains traceable donor databases, including health history and rare blood group tagging, ensuring safe and verified transfusions.
- Inventory Monitoring: e-Rakt Kosh manages stock levels, tracks expired units, and ensures safe disposal, thereby improving quality control.
- Camp Management: It facilitates registration and scheduling of blood donation camps, sends alerts for shortages, and streamlines resource planning.
- Critical Access Role: Once integrated with RDRI, it will allow direct access to rare blood group data, crucial during emergency transfusions.
- Transparency and Logistics: The system enhances transparency, strengthens blood logistics, and improves communication between blood banks, hospitals, and donor groups.
| [UPSC 2001] A man whose blood group is not known meets with a serious accident and needs blood transfusion immediately. Which one of the blood groups mentioned below and readily available in the hospital will be safe for transfusion?
Options: (a) O, Rh- * (b) O, Rh+ (c) AB, Rh- (d) AB, Rh+ |
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