Abstract

The study was conducted with the objective to determine the adoption of criteria of blood donor selection for blood screening in hospitals of Islamabad, Pakistan. The criteria of blood donor selection were supposed to be based on World Health Organization (WHO) standards and National Health care guidelines. It was observed that blood donors were mostly the relatives of patients. The age, weight, physical condition, temperature, history of addiction and alcohol effect at time of blood donation was in accordance with WHO blood donation criteria. However, pulse, hemoglobin, respiratory diseases and skin diseases were not determined in all the blood banks of hospitals in Islamabad and were in clear violation of WHO standards and National Health care guidelines, indicating that only few WHO standards and national healthcare guidelines were followed, but majority of them were missing or not followed appropriately. The study revealed that the criteria of blood donor selection were not fully followed in hospitals of Islamabad, and this needs to be rectified. Moreover, blood donors should be motivated to donate blood on voluntary basis. Similarly, the study may be conducted in other part of Pakistan as well.

Key words: Blood donor selection, World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, hospitals, Islamabad