Kerala has taken a big step in healthcare by starting the Rare Blood Donor Registry, which aims to identify rare blood donors. The Kerala Blood Transfusion Council has created this registry to solve the problem of finding the right blood for patients who need transfusions.

The project involved working with government medical colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Thrissur, and Kozhikode. The Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Blood Bank has been chosen as the main center for the project. The government has allocated about Rs. 2 crore for the development of transfusion medicine. The registry was created after testing various blood types, and so far, 3000 rare blood donors have been added.

Blood samples were collected from donors in these four regions, and 18 different blood types were tested. This is especially important for patients with thalassemia, sickle cell disease, kidney disease, cancer, or pregnant women, who often need blood transfusions. These patients may develop antibodies, making it hard to find a matching blood donor. The registry helps doctors quickly find a suitable donor and provide blood when needed to save lives.

The Rare Blood Donor Registry was launched at the National Conclave of Blood Transfusion Services in Kochi, which was attended by representatives from various states. The registry will soon be expanded to include more donors and made available across Kerala.

Efforts are being made to share information about the registry with both medical professionals and the public. The Kerala Model Rare Blood Donor Registry is expected to become a model for other states in India, helping many more patients in need of blood across the country.