Why there's demand for O negative blood during disasters

India Today

6 days ago

In the wake of the tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London with 242 people on board, triggered a massive emergency response. The aircraft crashed on top of the dining area of BJ Medical College doctors' hostel within five minutes of take-off.Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G S Malik said that 204 bodies were recovered from the site and 41 injured were transported for emergency treatment. Approximately 130 personnel from the Indian Army were deployed to assist civil administration in the rescue efforts, with a Military Hospital placed on standby.advertisementAccording to local reports, there's an urgent appeal for O negative blood, which is usually seen during such disasters.
Approximately 130 personnel from the Indian Army have been deployed to assist civil administration in the rescue efforts. (Photo: India Today)
Among the many immediate needs during such disasters, one that often sees an urgent and recurring call is for blood, particularly O negative. But why is this specific blood type in such high demand?O NEGATIVE BLOOD: VITAL IN EMERGENCIESO negative blood is often referred to as the universal donor blood type. This means it can be given to patients of any blood group, making it especially important in crisis situations when the recipient's blood type is unknown. advertisementIn the immediate aftermath of disasters like plane crashes, patients often arrive at hospitals with severe injuries, including trauma, heavy blood loss, and burns, all of which require rapid blood transfusions.Doctors typically do not have the luxury of time to test and match blood groups. In such cases, O negative blood can be given quickly and safely.Only about 7% of the population in India has O negative blood, but hospital demand for it is significantly higher.
Only about 7% of the population in India has O negative blood, but hospital demand for it is significantly higher. ()
This mismatch between supply and demand becomes especially prominent during disasters.Burn victims and trauma patients need urgent transfusions. In air crashes, many survivors suffer from severe burns, blunt trauma injuries, and internal bleeding.Burn victims, in particular, often require multiple transfusions to stabilise their condition and replace fluids lost due to damaged tissue and blood vessels.The body's immune response to burns also leads to complications that can require continuous blood support. When a patient is rushed to the ER unconscious, bleeding, or in shock, every minute counts.In such scenarios, waiting to type and crossmatch blood could cost lives, which is why hospitals reach out for O negative blood almost immediately.O negative individuals are also limited in who they can receive blood from, only other O negative donors, making them doubly dependent on community support.As rescue and medical operations continue, blood donations, particularly O negative, could be life-saving.Must Watch