Kerala's Blood Tech Prevents Waste

The Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) has launched a groundbreaking digital platform, the Blood Bank Traceability System (BBTS), to revolutionize blood transfusion services. This system digitally tracks every unit of donated blood from collection to transfusion, creating a comprehensive record and ensuring no unit expires prematurely. Implemented across 87 government health centers in 14 districts, BBTS monitors blood storage temperatures in real-time, alerting authorities to potential issues. This initiative, a first in India, aims to prevent blood wastage and adhere to the 'earliest expiry, first out' principle. The first phase covers public blood banks, with plans to include private ones in the second phase, pending government policy intervention. This system is a collaboration involving KSBTC, Kerala State AIDS Control Society, e-Health, and the Health department. It also links to 'Jeevadhaara' for voluntary donor registration, maintaining their health history and facilitating emergency blood availability. Real-time data on blood stocks across the state aids in quicker allocation during critical situations.