In an attempt to make blood transfusion safer, the King George Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow will soon introduce cutting-edge pathogen reduction technology (PRT). This advanced tech is capable of detecting and eliminating harmful pathogens including viruses and bacteria which usually remain unaffected in the traditional screening methods that are currently in use.

The availability of PRT screening at KGMU will not only ensure safer blood transfusion but will also aid in reducing the organ rejection rate amongst transplant patients.

Reportedly, the screening methods which are currently in use are only capable of targeting and eliminating HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Malaria and Syphilis pathogens. And now with PRT, the elimination of other harmful infections in the blood would be also possible.

Furthermore, PRT will also help in removing traces of white blood cells from the platelets which are segregated for transfusion in patients.

Notably, KGMU will become the first medical facility in India to adopt Pathogen Reduction Technology for blood screening.