National Symposium on Hemovigilance

Manipal: Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal organized a National Symposium on Hemovigilance Program of India here on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vinod Bhat vice chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Educationsaid ‘An Active surveillance of transfusion reactions should be done and it is of public health importance.’ 

Dr. Reba Chhabra, the deputy director of National Institute of Biologicals said “Hemovigilance programme collects and assesses information on unexpected or undesirable effects resulting from blood transfusion and it helps the policy makers to develop strategies to ensure safer transfusions”.

Experts from the field of blood transfusion Dr. Debasish Gupta, Dr. Shivaram, Dr. Sitalakshmi, Dr. Shwethapriya shared their experiences. Regulatory aspects of blood banking were discussed by former Drugs controllers, Dr. D Roy and Dr. Selveraj.

Pro-vice chancellor, faculty of health sciences Dr. Poornima Baliga, Dean of Kasturba Medical College Manipal Dr. Pragna Rao, Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery Dr. Vijay Kumar were present.

Dr. Shamee Shastry professor and head of the department of Immunohematology and blood transfusion welcomed the gathering and gavea brief overview of the programme. She said that ensuring safe transfusions was our prime motive and the symposium was planned to create awareness about the Hemovigilance programme among all the stakeholders of blood transfusion.