KOCHI: Gone are the days when patients worried about contracting deadly diseases like HIV through blood transfusion. The fourth generation laboratory test or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT)introduced by IMA Cochin chapter has served in putting to rest these fears.
This test completely closes the window period of the infection. A window period is the time between the point when the blood donor contracts the infectious disease and the time it takes to detect the infection in the blood by standard techniques. The NAAT equipment, worth `2.6 crores, is the first of its kind in the state and third in the country.
Dr Sunny Orathel, president, IMA Cochin chapter said that this technique gets rid of even the tiniest virus hiding in the blood. The test amplifies the virus enabling its removal from the blood.
“Once HIV or Hepatitis B or C virus gets into the body, a complete cure is not possible and chances of contracting them through blood transfusion is very high. Hence, this test is a big relief,” he pointed out. The unique system has been extensively validated and widely implemented for blood tests so as to enhance blood safety. NAAT technology has also been implemented in US, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific region. Individual Donor NAT (ID NAT) test is performed on each and every donor samples to reduce or practically eliminate the ‘window period’.
In comparison to other chapters, Dr Sunny said that IMA blood bank, Cochin chapter deals with a huge volume of donated blood. “Hence this fourth generation laboratory test is a real boon,” he said. In India, only a few IMAs have blood bank. They, however, do not have state-of-art facilities like IMA Cochin. “Most of the private hospitals in the state do not have this facility. Hence, IMA Cochin also carries out blood tests for private hospitals to ensure that the donor is infection free.”
The blood bank can be contacted at 0484-2350522.