Roche Diagnostics India, market leader of the Indian in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry and King George’s Medical University, Lucknow advocated the need for Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAT) for safe blood access in Uttar Pradesh.


Blood transfusion is a significant aspect to patient health. Inadequately screened blood and unsafe blood transfusion process may lead to transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) like HIV, Hepatitis B & C etc. further risking the life of the patient. Roche NAT solution enables screening of donated blood, to reduce the risk of TTIs in people receiving blood.


Speaking on occasion of World Blood Donor’s Day (June 14), Dr. Sandeep Sewlikar, Head – Medical and Scientific Affairs, Roche Diagnostics India said, “Patient health is our primary focus. Blood may be described as the very foundation to the health of any patient. However, such life-saving blood can prove dangerous either if the transfusion process is not done under stringent quality checks or if the blood that is transfused itself is not completely safe.
 It is our endeavour to communicate to people that NAT-tested blood is the safest form of blood, as it detects even window period viral infections. Asking for NAT-tested blood will help safeguard their lives should there be any need for a blood transfusion.”


Dr. Tulika Chandra, Head of Department - Department of Transfusion Medicine, King George's Medical University said, "The Department has come together with Roche Diagnostics India this World Blood Donor’s Day to spread the message of safe blood to the people of Uttar Pradesh. We installed the Roche NAT solution at King George’s in 2012. We are pleased that we have been instrumental in hundreds of people not contracting deadly infections on account of unsafe blood transfusion. NAT significantly reduces TTI associated morbidity and mortality. Additionally, NAT will also have a positive health economic effect of reduction in state's and personal expenditure on treatment and hospitalisation due to TTIs."


Roche Diagnostics India has been at the forefront in taking its NAT solution to various States in India including Delhi, Rajasthan, UP, Kerala, TN, AP, Telangana, Gujarat, Orissa, West Bengal, Manipur, Haryana, Punjab and Maharashtra. The company is looking forward to take this technology to other states in India in the near future.


A recent report by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) revealed that Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of HIV cases due to blood transfusion – 361 cases. Over 2000 people were infected with HIV while getting blood transfusion in the past 17 months in other parts of the country. On the advent of this shocking revelation, Roche Diagnostics India and King George’s Medical University, Lucknow came together this World Blood Donor’s Day to discuss the importance of safe blood transfusion in the state.