Voluntary blood donations in Navi Mumbai, India: Experience in coronavirus disease pandemic

Introduction: In India, voluntary blood donation camps (VBDCs) are a key supply of blood and its products. Conducting blood donation drives was challenging in Navi Mumbai due to the widespread lockdown during the coronavirus disease (COVID) outbreak. Study Type: This was a retrospective study. Materials and Methods: To relieve the anxieties and apprehensions of the blood donor population, extensive confidence-building efforts were required. Various safety measures and standard operating procedures were also included, as well as training for VBDC organizers and medical personnel. We studied the blood donations done at our institute on a retrospective basis from blood bank records. Results: Our study showed a 7% increase in outdoor VBDC donations in 2021 over the previous year 2020. However, according to the advice of the local transfusion council, promoting in-house donations raised their number by a stunning 33% in 2021. Conclusion: Even during the COVID pandemic, confidence-building methods and precautions helped restore VBDC’s legitimacy and increase donation numbers by a marginal extent.