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19-year-old student, Mr Ilias, who voluntarily donates blood at the Kutubdia Upazila Health Complex to cover the need for safe blood for Thalassemia patients.
“It feels good; it makes me Proud. I am a blood donor.” says a 19-year-old student, Mr Ilias, who voluntarily donates blood at the Kutubdia Upazila Health Complex to cover the need for safe blood for Thalassemia patients. Total of 2371 bags of blood have been received by people in need between Sep 2022 – May 2023 with obstetric emergencies, thalassemia, anemia, road traffic accidents and others in all upazila except Sadar of Cox’s Bazar district. WHO continues to support the Government of Bangladesh in improving blood screening and storage capacity at different levels. WHO established well-organized safe blood transfusion services at all seven upazila (Chakoria, Ramu, Moheshkali, Pekua, Ukhiya, Teknaf, Kutubdia) of Cox’s Bazar district through capacity building, human resource support, and logistic support under the Health and Gender Support Project (HGSP) funded by World Bank. The labs were strengthened with equipment, consumables, diagnostic kits, reagents and training of medical technologists, and orientation of clinicians on the clinical use of blood. Awareness campaigns are being planned to develop a “Voluntary Blood Donors List,” which will play a crucial role in emergencies.
The geographically lowest located sub-district of Bangladesh called Upazila Kutubdia in the Cox Bazar district, which is situated in the Bay of Bengal, 166 km away from the district town. It is connected through various river ports through waterways using Engine Boat or Speed Boat to the main island. Kutubdia Island has long been known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant coastal communities. However, tucked away within this serene paradise lies a groundbreaking medical facility that has been transforming healthcare on the island. Blood Transfusion Center at Upazila Health Complex (UHC) has become a beacon of hope, saving countless lives and revolutionizing the way medical emergencies are handled in this remote region. The 31-bed hospital is the only silver of hope for primary health care services, with additional secondary care services covering around 200,000 population isolated from the mainland.
In the past, critical cases like severe antepartum or postpartum bleeding and other severely injured patients were referred to Cox Bazaar Sadar Hospital due to the lack of blood transfusion facilities in the Upazila health complex. Two medical technologists were deployed, and a blood transfusion setup was established in the Kutubdia health complex under the supervision of Upazila Health & Family Planning Officer and Civil Surgeon Cox’s Bazar. The hospital services management of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Upazila Care guided in collaboration with WHO for setting up the blood transfusion capacity at Kutubdia health complex.
The Kutubdia Health facility started with collecting donated blood from voluntary blood donors, mainly students from the community. As per the country's legislation, all the unit blood is mandatorily screened for five transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs): HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, and Malaria. Since the start of services, i.e., Sep 2022 – May 2023, 269 bags of blood were collected and transfused to the patients.
In seven upazilas of Cox’s Bazar except Sadar, 2371 boold transfusion was done out of which 580 units were given for Thalassemia, 538 to Anaemia patients, 389 to Obstetric needs, and 80 for other reasons. There is a pool of voluntary blood donors created in the community, and all are listed and eager to donate blood whenever there is a need for this new arrangement of blood transfusion services in remote areas.
“Previously, the lack of accessible and timely blood transfusion services posed a significant challenge for the inhabitants of this remote island. Medical emergencies often result in fatal consequences due to the delayed blood supply, but at present, around the 50-unit bag are transfused per month, which is increasing day by day,” explain Dr Golam Mostafa Nadim, Upazila Health & Family Planning Officer at Kutubdia Upazila Health Complex.
With the support of WHO, with the availability of modern technology, the Kutubdia Island blood transfusion services has managed to overcome many obstacles. Now a days blood transfusion services are running 24 hours including on-call emergency services by four medical technologists and two laboratory attendants. Among them three medical technologists and one laboratory attendant are supported by WHO through HGS project by World Bank.
The service has initiated comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate the local population about the importance of blood donation, encouraging a culture of voluntary blood donation on Kutubdia Island.
“WHO in collaboration with Government established seven blood transfusion centers in seven upazila health complexes which has an incredible impact on the lives of individuals and communities. It is a testament to the unwavering commitment of WHO towards lifesaving interventions” -Dr Jorge Martinez, Head of WHO Sub Office in Cox’s Bazar.
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An 18-year-old, 32 weeks pregnant female, Ms. Sarjina, received “O” negative blood at the Kutubdia Upazila Health Complex and is a transfused treat to anemia, receiving blood voluntary blood donor of the community.
The transfusion service of Kutubdia is a medical breakthrough and a symbol of hope for remote communities. It emphasizes the importance of community-driven initiatives and the power of collaboration in addressing critical healthcare gaps. The introduction of blood transfusion services stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit, forever changing the lives of the people of Kutubdia Island. Further to this, WHO provides close oversight towards the compliance with WHO recommended standard practices and criteria for selection of donors, appropriate testing, storage of donations for clinical use and responsible use of blood supplies, among others for safe transfusion practices and saving lives.
The promotion of voluntary blood donation is necessary to ensure the supply of quality & safe blood. The voluntary blood donation activity at Kutubdia Upazila Health Complex is a great example for other upazilas. I believe to see the success of Kutubdia Upazila Health Complex will encourage other upazilas to come together and initiate this exemplary activity and ensure the availability of safe blood and blood products to all who need them. -Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to WHO Bangladesh.
For more information about the success story please contact ssultana@who.int