Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India] July 26 : In commemoration of World Hepatitis Day, Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre, a leading non-profit organisation, announces a pioneering step towards bolstering blood safety in the region and containing the spread of Hepatitis through safer blood transfusions. Towards this, the blood bank has integrated advanced Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) for all blood donations, ensuring access to safe blood for all.
Viral hepatitis is increasingly being recognized as a public health concern in India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, India ranks second globally for hepatitis B and C infections, with 35 million cases reported in 2022. Availability of safe blood is one of the most important measures to prevent viral hepatitis -HBV and HCV. Recognising the urgency, Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre has initiated a three-pronged approach to ensure safe blood availability in Gujarat through – implementation of an innovative NAT centralisation model, increase in public awareness about blood safety and upskill workforce through training and education.
NAT-PCR technology revolutionises blood screening by detecting viral infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C at early stages, surpassing traditional methods in accuracy and reliability. By establishing a model of centralised NAT testing, Sarvoday aims to extend the reach of safe blood to more individuals across Gujarat. This innovative approach operates on a hub-and-spoke model, consolidating testing resources and expertise guaranteeing access to NAT-tested blood and blood components of the highest quality to even smaller blood banks across the state.
Dr. Rajesh Gopal, Additional Project Director, Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS): “As we commemorate World Hepatitis Day, initiatives like the integration of NAT-PCR technology by Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre are crucial in bringing down the morbidity and mortality of blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis B & C. This step ensures safer healthcare practices across Gujarat by setting the foundations to build a robust blood safety infrastructure within the state.”
Dr Paresh Vyasa, Medical Director, Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre, stated, “Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our patients. By adopting NAT, we are taking a monumental step towards ensuring that the blood we provide is of the highest safety standards. The majority of blood donors in our country are one-time voluntary donors as there is hardly a concept of regular repeat blood donation which is essential for blood safety. NAT-PCR being a very sensitive technology, detects early stages of HIV/Hepatitis C/Hepatitis B infections and occult Hepatitis B infection. This initiative aligns perfectly with the ethos of World Hepatitis Day, emphasising the importance of safe blood and the role of donors in achieving it.”
“The introduction of NAT testing is part of our continuous efforts to enhance blood safety protocols and align with international standards. This initiative is a result of the unwavering support of our patron doctors and the hospital management who prioritise the safety of patients.” Dr. Vyasa added.
Dr Sandeep Sewlikar, Head, Medical and Scientific Affair & RA, Roche Diagnostics India, added, “Ensuring safe blood transfusions is paramount. At Roche Diagnostics India, we’re committed to setting new standards in transfusion medicine nationwide with our advanced NAT screening technology. We strongly believe that by joining forces with Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre, we will be integrating processes, equipment, and materials in a centralised blood bank to ensure consistent quality and efficacy across Gujarat. More states can easily replicate this model with minimal process reforms, deploy them as pilots, and scale them.”
“Hepatitis patients experience immense pain in the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the stomach. If left undiagnosed and untreated, this can cause sudden ruptures causing fatal damage and even death. Given that these viruses spread through blood, body fluids, and from mother to child at birth, posing risks of chronic infection, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, ensuring availability of safe blood becomes an urgent priority. The National Centre for Disease Control’s 2021 report cites Hepatitis B prevalence in Gujarat at 1.2% and Hepatitis C at 0.19%, highlighting the need for robust blood safety measures.
Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre’s initiative is therefore pivotal, aiming to curb transfusion-related infections and safeguard vulnerable patients”, said Dr. Ankit Patel – MD Gastroenterology, Kaizen Hospital, Ahmedabad.
About Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre
Established in 2000, Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre is dedicated to providing safe and high-quality blood and blood components. It is NABH Accredited since 2010 and is also a Regional Blood Transfusion Centre having more than 5 Blood Storage centres. It caters the needs of more than 180 Thalassemic children under its care. Today, with the introduction of NAT, Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre continues to lead the charge in ensuring the highest standard of blood safety for the community it serves.
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