Roche Diagnostics India with King George’s Medical University advocate need for blood safety on World Blood Donors’ Day

Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology solution will enable access to safe blood in Uttar Pradesh

Roche Diagnostics India and King George’s Medical University, Lucknow came together on the occasion of World Blood Donor’s Day to advocate the need for Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAT) for safe blood access in UP.

Blood transfusion is a significant aspect to patient health. Inadequately screened blood and unsafe blood transfusion process may lead to transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) like HIV, Hepatitis B&C etc. further risking the life of the patient. Roche NAT solution enables screening of donated blood, to reduce the risk of TTIs in people receiving blood.

Dr Sandeep Sewlikar, Head – Medical and Scientific Affairs, Roche Diagnostics India said, “It is our endeavour to communicate to people that NAT-tested blood is the safest form of blood, as it detects even window period viral infections. Asking for NAT-tested blood will help safeguard their lives should there be any need for a blood transfusion.”

Dr Tulika Chandra, Head of Department – Department of Transfusion Medicine, King George’s Medical University said, “The department has come together with Roche Diagnostics India this World Blood Donor’s Day to spread the message of safe blood to the people of Uttar Pradesh. We installed the Roche NAT solution at King George’s in 2012. We are pleased that we have been instrumental in hundreds of people not contracting deadly infections on account of unsafe blood transfusion. NAT significantly reduces TTI associated morbidity and mortality. Additionally, NAT will also have a positive health economic effect of reduction in state’s and personal expenditure on treatment and hospitalisation due to TTIs.”