Immunohematology, also known as Blood Banking or Transfusion Medicine, is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the study of blood groups, blood typing, compatibility testing, therapeutic apheresis and the safe transfusion of blood and blood products harnessing the latest RFID technology and ultimately contributing to the well-being and survival of patients requiring blood products as part of their medical treatment.

This field plays a critical role in healthcare by ensuring the availability of safe and compatible blood for transfusion to patients in need, such as those undergoing surgery, experiencing trauma, or managing certain medical conditions like anemia cancer.

Key responsibilities of Immunohematology include blood collection, processing, storage, and distribution, as well as the screening and selection of blood donors. Additionally, Immunohematologists collaborate with other clinical specialties to provide optimal patient care, particularly in emergency situations where timely access to blood transfusions is critical,

The department of Transfusion Medicine at JMMCH & RI, is a state of the art fully automated blood center as well as one of the few designated Reference Testing Centers for advanced Immunohematology testing in India.

JMMCH & RI is the only private medical college, offering NMC recognized Post graduate MD Degree in Immunohematology & Blood Transfusion (IHBT).

Our blood bank came into being in 1969 with a minimal infrastructure of a single room with an ordinary refrigerator. Blood collection was performed in bottles manufactured in the hospital itself. The anticoagulant used was ACD which was also manufactured at our pharmacy and sterilized in our operation theatre. Only screening methods like VDRL was employed during the period. No other transfusion transmitted disease screening methods were in practice during that time. Only the questionnaire regarding high risk behavior asked in the donor cards were the means of screening the donors. Later on vacuum bottles were purchased from outside and bypass of handmade bottles happened. In the year 1990 bottles were replaced by blood bags (SINGLE BAGS) and also the first blood bag refrigerator furnished in our department. Our infrastructure was modified and donor screening area, bleeding area and refreshment room came into being. Also there was advent of screening for TTD like HIV and HBsAg. Later on HCV screening also added the list.

Our Department obtained the license from the Drugs And Control Society in 1996. Till 2007 only whole blood was being administered to the patients. But the year 2007 gave our department a whole new dimension. License from the Drugs And Control Society for component separation was obtained and this embarked us on a whole new level. PRBC, FFP , Cryoprecipitate, and Platelet preparation started and issued according to the conditions of the patients and as demanded by the clinicians. This led to better health and more rates of survival in the patients. In 2012 the post graduate course was started on permit by the MCI.

9AM to 4PM

We conduct blood donation camps in our district at frequent intervals approximating twice or thrice in a week all round the year. We organize conference and workshops every year where we receive participants from all colleges across Kerala. “CASCADE” is a coagulation workshop we conduct every year which involves post graduate students and eminent faculties from various fraternities . This provides a huge platform and also facilitates different aspects of research and learning.