Thalassaemia patients face shortage of filter sets at SAT, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College

Thiruvananthapuram: Thalassemia patients are not being able to get leukocyte filter sets which are used during blood transfusions and complaints have been piling up at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital and Sree Avittam Thirunal (SAT) hospital.

Both the hospitals are currently facing a shortage of leukocyte filter sets as it was not distributed by the Kerala Medical Service Corporation Ltd (KMSCL). KMSCL is facing the same issue as well. However, the issue has been put into consideration.

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Assuring that the shortage of the filter sets has been resolved as they bought the kits from the open market. Dr Bindu, superintendent of SAT hospital told TOI "There was a shortage of filter sets until a few days ago and we have procured the sets through various other ways. Now we have enough sets in our store and we will use them."

Meanwhile, the issue was completely denied by the superintendent of MCH alleging that no such complaints have reached out to them.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by less oxygen-carrying protein (haemoglobin) and fewer red blood cells in the body than normal. A blood disorder involving lower-than-normal amounts of an oxygen-carrying protein. In order to save the organs from failing, the patients undergo blood transfusion, Chelation therapy and in rare cases Stem cell or bone marrow transplant as the surgery is way much more expensive for the patients. The patients transfuse their blood every two to five weeks.

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Blood components must be filtered during the transfusion to remove clots and small clumps of platelets and white blood cells that form during collection and storage. Standard blood infusion sets contain 170 - 260 micron filters. Leukocyte removal filters are used to reduce complications associated with transfused white blood cells that are contained in units of red blood cells and platelets. Since the immunity level of Thalassemia patients is very low, filter sets are recommended during a blood transfusion.