Welcome to Maruthi Blood Bank and Research Foundation

Maruthi blood bank and Research Foundation is an endeavor of Advanced Regional Blood Transfusion Central established to modernize blood banking in Salem. The centre, started in July 1997, runs on the concept of 100% voluntary blood donations by means of either indoor or outdoor blood donations camps. The idea behind which is to ensure quality blood and blood components since blood safety begins with a safe & healthy blood donor. The centre provides round the clock service for blood and blood components to patients in and around Salem and also nearest three districts of Salem. The Centre is now also prepared to undertake apheresis procedures. The centre is a NGO run charitable organization licensed by the Drug Controller of India and recognized by SBTC (State Blood Transfusion Council) Tamilnadu. He centre works in co-ordination with NACO (National AIDS control Organization) through the Tamilnadu SACS (State AIDS Control Society). As a not-for-profit organization, revolutionized blood banking in Salem with three fundamental principles.

  • Encourage Repeat voluntary blood donation.
  • Execute 100% blood components preparation and distribution.
  • Enhance scale of operations to provide safe blood on cost recovery model.

As a result of its unique approach and commitment to provide safe blood products, maruthi blood bank is now one of the finest blood establishments in Salem. The credit goes to overwhelming support of more than 20,000 voluntary blood donors along with supporting doctors and hospitals.

Every year about 10,000 donors are voluntarily donating blood to Maruthi blood bank. Using state-of-the-art technology, this blood is further separated into blood components which helps in saving lives of more than 10,000 patients in and around Salem. The centre issues blood and blood components totally free of cost to poor/ needy patients as well as patients suffering from disorders like Thalassemia and Hemophiliac & also to all kinds of cancers patients.

What is blood?

Blood is the red fluid that circulates in our blood vessels, i.e. veins and arteries. The main function of blood is to act as the body’s transport system, but it also has a major role in the body’s defense against infection. There is no substitute for blood. It cannot be made or manufactured. Donors are the only source of blood for patients who need it.

Blood is a living tissue composed of blood cells suspended in plasma. The cellular elements, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets — make up about 45% of the volume of whole blood. Plasma, which is 92% water, makes up the remaining 55%.

Blood accounts for approximately 7% of a person’s weight. An average sized man has about 12 units of blood, and an average sized woman has about 9 units. When you donate blood, your body immediately begins replacing the donated blood volume, so you can safely donate as often as 3 times a year.

Get Blood

To get blood you must have doctor’s prescription and properly labeled blood sample in the plain tube and EDTA tube. Get the sample to Maruthi blood bank and submit it at cross match lab. Depending upon the blood component you need it may take 45 minutes to 1 hour. You have to pay the processing charge as per the rate list. Blood can be sometimes in short supply and it is better to check with crossmatch lab before you visit with the blood sample.

In a country where blood is a very scarce resource and there are not enough voluntary blood donors, Maruthi blood bank made it very simple to get blood. This is no wonder when you believe in voluntary non-remunerated blood donations. When you need blood, you call Maruthi blood bank and book the needed component. If it is available it is given to you predefined testing charges. If you are a blood donor of Maruthi blood bank or Camp Organiser, you can mention that while placing a request. You should however send the person with Doctor’s prescription for specific component and blood sample of patient for cross match. Thus, blood banking simplified.

How much time it will take to get blood?

It takes about 1 ½ hour to cross match the blood sample and provide you with the needed component. When you need more than 1 component it may take a little more time as various technical and medical precautions are taken before handing over the component to you.

Eligibility for Donating Blood

  • Age should be between 18 and 60 years.
  • Your weight should be 45 kg or above.
  • Minimum haemoglobin count should be 12.5 gm.
  • Pulse rate should be between 50 and 100 per minute, without any irregularities.
  • Blood pressure should be, diastolic 50 to 100 mm Hg and Systolic 100 to 180 mm Hg.
  • Body temperature should be normal and oral temperature should not exceed 37.5 degree Celsius.
  • Should not have undergone any treatment for rabies or received
  • Hepatitis B immune globulin within the past one year.
  • Should not have donated blood within last three months.
  • Should not have been treated for malaria within last three months.
  • Should not have undergone any immunization within the past one month.
  • Should not have undergone any dental work or taken aspirin within last the 72 hours.
  • Should not have consumed alcohol within the last 14 hours.

Pre-donation Counseling

  • Have a good meal and plenty of fluids before you donate blood.
  • Walk into the blood bank between 1 and 2 hours after having a meal.
  • You will be asked a few questions about yourself, your health, etc. and will be given a form to fill. All information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential.
  • You will undergo a medical examination including height, weight, blood pressure and haemoglobin to ensure that you are healthy enough to donate blood. Donor safety is as important as blood safety.
  • If found fit, you can donate blood. The equipment used during the process is absolutely sterile and disposed after single use. You will not develop any disease through blood donation.
  • You will receive a certificate and information on “dos and don’ts” for the next 24 hours. You can donate blood again after 90 days. The procedure is the same every time you donate blood – either at the blood centre or at a blood donation camp.

Fact About The Blood Donation Process

  • Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded.
  • Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical examination, blood donation and refreshments.
  • Every blood donor is given a mini-physical examination, checking the donor’s temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin to ensure it is safe for the donor to give blood.
  • The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour and 15 min.
  • The average adult has about 10 Units of blood in his body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation.
  • A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days, or double red cells every 112 days.
  • A healthy donor may donate platelets as few as 7 days apart, but a maximum of 24 times a year.
  • All donated blood is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases before it can be released to hospitals.