Blood component separation units for Siliguri and Hills

Kolkata: To reduce their dependence on other blood banks, the Bengal Government approved blood component separation units in the blood banks at Siliguri District Hospital (SDH) and the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hospitals.

A component separator machine ensures maximum utilisation of blood as patients often need only specific components.

These will be the first-of-their-kind in government hospitals in north Bengal. The only blood component separation unit in the region, the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, exists at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

Apart from the units, at SDH and the Darjeeling hospital, platelet agitators, which store platelet concentrates in continued motion at a controlled temperature, will also be installed.