Abstract

Saving a Life in Front of My Eyes

Asim Qidwai, Bareerah Siddiqui, Neelam Mansoor, Syeda Anwari, Sumiara Punjwani and Irfan Mohammed

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) assigned voluntary non-remunerated donation as the safest form of Blood donation. Moreover, it emphasized on developing strategies and program to induct regular donors in large quantity to maintain the highest possible quality of blood supply. However, the major bone of contention is the number of drop outs in blood donor pool, hence the blood donor agencies always keeps this thought process moving that how to affiliate a long-term relationship with blood donors. There is continuous search and effort for the development of a successful program which can strengthen the long term relation between the blood donor club and blood donor. Methods: It was therefore mandatory to put forward a novel idea which can bring a drastic change in blood supply campaigns and amalgamate the donors with the recipients through a humanitarian binding force. After an year of project development the concept of "SALIFOME - Saving A Life Infront Of My Eyes" " was coined by Dr Asim Qidwai which was then forwarded for rigorous pilot study and reviewed by a multidimensional team (MDT) comprising of Hematologist, Thalassemia experts, Blood Bank Experts, Nursing Educationist, Psychologist and Pharmacist. Result: SALIFOME wherever implemented would provide the following benefits to the health care system specifically systems associated with chronic blood disorders including but not limited to: donor immediate satisfaction, lateral communication, long term engagement of donors, learning experience for others, establishment of large blood donors pool, community education, cost effective solution, better utilization of human model. Conclusion: Our intention with SALIFOME was to start and initiate something which will provide the blood donor one strong motivational and sustain long term relationship among donors and donor club. This concept can be used as reference for other centers dealing with haemoglobinpathies.