RBC : An Introduction.

Que) What is RBC?

Ans) RBC or Red Blood Council, is a student initiative aiming at establishing a blood donors forum. It was officially inaugurated by the former Archbishop of Thrissur, His Grace Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy on December 18th, 2008 at Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala .

Que) How did this idea come up?

Ans) We, the students at Amala have been helping the needy since 7 years and have donated over 400 pints of blood. To promote and continue this act of good will and social commitment, we decided to make a forum, which will provide a platform for further activities, aiming at voluntary blood donation.

Que) Why are we doing this?

Ans) Blood Donation is a noble deed for a noble cause. One can generate good will by his/her involvement in such an invaluable community based activity.

Que) Who are we targeting at?

Ans) Mainly students (eligible). Students are the potential blood donors of the future. Educating and grooming them at the root level can transform them into responsible citizens in the future. By tapping the young, the strategy targets the healthy portion of the population which will yield the maximum number of qualified donors.

Que) What are the activities planned?

Ans) Primary Activities ( for immediate effect )

• -         Maintain a well documented blood donor registry, esp. for rare blood groups.
• -         Provide blood donors for the needy esp. Emergency cases and platelet transfusion.
• -         Conduct CMEs for health professionals of Amala.
• -         Hold regular meetings to discuss the development and progress of activities.
• -         Motivate people to join the council.
• -         Maintain a notice board and bring out a newsletter.

Secondary Activities ( for long term effect )

• -         Hold awareness drives in schools, colleges etc.
• -         Prepare pamphlets.
• -         Prepare posters (hold a poster competition).
• -         Get keychain, carstickers and nameslips.
• -         Prepare an informational booklet brochure.
• -         Conduct blood group check and blood donation camps.
• -         Hold a function and give incentives to donors.

Que) What is the ultimate goal?

Ans)  A 100% voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation from healthy, disease – free adults.

Blood donation in India - 'The situation must change'

India, with a population of over a billion, has a meager availability of 2.5 million units of blood against a minimum modest annual requirement of approx 6 million units. A study conducted in New Delhi, the capital city of India in 1991 reported that nearly 40% of all the donations in this city were from paid donors. They reported that only 17% of all the donations were voluntary while 43% were replacement donations. Following a government sponsored study, which showed a high incidence of hepatitis-B among paid donors, the Supreme Court of India passed an order banning the payment of money to blood donors from January 1998. This led to a further shortage of blood units in India largely because of lack of public initiative to donate blood voluntarily. This lack of initiative perhaps could be related to general illiteracy, large families, poverty, poor knowledge of blood donation, little motivation, regional beliefs and misconceptions. Even in Kerala, the people do not know the difference between professional donors, replacement donors and voluntary donors. The only solution to this therefore is to increase the number of voluntary donors.

References:

-AIDS and blood transfusion programme in India, Jolly JG, Journal of the Indian Medical Association  1994; 92: 141-3.

-Knowledge, Attitudes and Socio-Demographic Factors Differentiating Blood Donors From Non- Donors in an Urban Slum of Delhi, Bir Singh, RM Pandey et al, Indian Journal of Community Medicine, Vol. 27, No. 3 (2002-07 - 2002-09)

RBC – RED BLOOD COUNCIL - STUDENTS BLOOD DONORS FORUM

ANOTHER BOLD ENDEAVOUR BY THE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF AMALA

RBC – RED BLOOD COUNCIL - STUDENTS BLOOD DONORS FORUM

TO CAMPAIGN THE IMPORTANCE OF BLOOD DONATION

India needs nearly seven million units of blood per year. Most of those seeking help belong to the category of cancer patients or bypass surgery patients. And children suffering from Sickle cell and thalassemia who need frequent blood transfusions.

HOW DID THIS IDEA COME UP?

We , the medical students at Amala have been helping the needy since 7 years & have donated over 400 pints of blood. Now ,it has become impossible to meet up the demands of blood in the hospital. There is a dearth of blood donors amongst the students. The demand rate has been increasing steadily but our sources are not replenished at the same time. So, now we are thinking of re-organizing the whole setup and expanding our resources.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

Blood Donation is a noble deed for a noble cause. One can generate good will by his/her  involvement in such an invaluable community based activity.

WHAT ARE WE AIMING AT?

To educate the youth on the importance of blood donation and how it translates into saving the lives of hospital patients in their community and their nation.

WHO ARE WE TARGETING AT?

School going students
College students
Medical students
Other medical professionals
community health providers

WHY DO WE TARGET THEM?

Students are the potential blood donors of the future. Educating and grooming them at the root level can transform them into responsible citizens in the future.

WHAT CAN A MEDICAL STUDENT FROM AMALA DO?

-To participate in spreading the message of blood donation.
-To educate people regarding the benefits of blood donation.
-To provide medical expertise regarding health problems.
-To establish a friendly interaction with the community.
-To maintain a donor registry.

HOW WILL THEY BENEFIT?

-A regular check up.
-Good for the heart.
-A donation one can afford.
-Whenever you are in need of blood, you can approach us.

WHAT SHOULD BE OUR STRATEGY?

-Encourage blood donation amongst the youngsters, in school environment & local communities.
-Create a festive mood, a little like a health carnival with health exhibition & a welcoming atmosphere.
-Introduce a friendly but systematic approach to the event by processing donors quickly but efficiently.
 -Include mass media coverage by having radio/other celebrities support the blood donor campaign.
-Make available a spokesperson to give advise about the strict criteria for blood donation and talk about healthy lifestyle.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH A VENTURE?

-Exhibition, display materials, brochures, posters.
-Media kit, incl. news releases & key contact numbers.
-Certificate of appreciation for all donors.

HOW SHOULD WE APPROACH?

-Approach the concerned authorities at schools and colleges and other relevant centers and explain our strategy and aims.
-Work hand-in-hand with equal participation from the community.

WHAT WOULD BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE TIME FOR DOING THIS?

When the students are more relaxed ie. Starting from 3^rd semester, a period of time can be spared from their curriculum or after they get an exposure to pathology .

WHAT ARE  THE BENEFITS TO THE STUDENT?

-He can generate good will by his involvement in such an invaluable community based activity.
-He could promote self-esteem, demonstrating strong values by doing something for others.
-He could gain exposure as a good corporate citizen to community involvement with a life saving organization.

WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ULTIMATE GOAL?

Not even a single person shall die from want of blood.

THANK YOU.