For the newborn screening program, the workers at the blood bank routinely visit the different health centers in the surrounding area to collect the dried blood spot filter papers to do the testing. The blood bank provides all of the centers with filter paper (similar to the ones that the US uses) and tubes so that when a baby is born the cord blood can be collected and sent for testing. We spent today visiting four different health centers and hospitals collecting the samples and replenishing the supply of filter paper sheets and collection tubes. We left the blood bank around 10:30 and didn't get back until 6pm so it was definitely a long day. Riddhima, Abhishek, Jathin bhaiya (the driver) and I went on this trip. By the end of the day Riddhima and I were fast asleep in the back of the car because the drive back from the last health center was 3 hours.
It was a nice trip in the end though. It was cool to see the various health centers and see another aspect of the NBS program. In the US, the hospitals directly send all the samples to the laboratory but here the lab personnel have to go and collect all the samples. Collections occur at each center/hospital around 3-4 times a month. So the turnover of results is not as quick as in the US either.
It was a nice trip in the end though. It was cool to see the various health centers and see another aspect of the NBS program. In the US, the hospitals directly send all the samples to the laboratory but here the lab personnel have to go and collect all the samples. Collections occur at each center/hospital around 3-4 times a month. So the turnover of results is not as quick as in the US either.
Two of the health centers that we visited. Dr. Abhishek giving the nurse the tubes and filter paper cards
Sickle Cell Disease information at one of the centers
After we made stops at all the centers we stopped at the Botanical Garden to eat our lunch. The garden was gorgeous and it was nice to stop and walk around a bit after sitting in the car for so long.
The entryway of the gardens
Our lunch spot on the left
Part of a train that was in service from 1920-1936
We stopped at a small Hanuman temple on the way back
Since Riddhima and I were falling asleep on the way back we decided to postpone our trip to the temples for tomorrow. I could barely keep my eyes open when I got back to the blood bank and have been half awake while typing all this up so it is probably a good thing we didn't go anywhere else today or I really would not have enjoyed it. But I am looking forward to seeing more of the city in the next two weeks. :-)
I can't understand anything that is written on that sickle cell banner! :p
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