The app called the Panic Button-Blood Donor App aims at creating a directory of people willing to donate blood as and when the need arises. The app helps the donor and the receiver connect with each other easily, in times of urgency or otherwise.
Speaking to the media at its launch in Manipal Hospital on Monday, Dr Shekar Salkar said, “This will be a revolutionary way of blood donation that will save doctors from wasting blood after it loses its shelf life. With the app you can give blood only when required. This app has the potential to save a life and there is nothing better than that.”
David de Souza, MD of SID International that developed the app said that while the app was not a substitute to the normal blood donation method, it is only trying to supplement it.
“The number of people who will have the app will not guarantee that all those in need of blood will get the benefits. It is the quantity of rare blood type that will matter the most, and is also the key point to have started such an initiative. The installation of this app is encouraged, to reach out to a large number of people who are in urgent need of blood,” he said, adding that in the past six months since its launch, the app has helped save one life.
The app available is for download on Android and iOS for the moment will require users to pay a subscription of Rs 60 annually and refer at least 20 people to the app for successfully using it.
