Transfusion Medicine
A hospital blood bank providing safe, tested blood and blood components, including plateletpheresis, for patients across BMCTH.
- Services & clinics
- 11
- Emergency
- 24/7
Overview
The Department of Transfusion Medicine runs the hospital blood bank at Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, making sure that safe, compatible blood is available when patients need it. Blood is collected from voluntary donors, screened for transfusion-transmissible infections, and carefully matched to each patient. Beyond whole blood, the department provides component therapy, separating blood into parts such as red cells, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets, so each patient receives exactly what they need.
The blood bank supports every part of the hospital, including the 24-hour Emergency, operating theatres, Intensive Care Units, maternity, and the Birat Cancer Institute. Specialised procedures such as plateletpheresis, leukapheresis and stem-cell harvesting are also available. As part of a Kathmandu University affiliated teaching hospital, the department works closely with laboratory medicine and clinical teams, following careful procedures for donor screening, cross-matching and safe storage at every step, so that every transfusion is as safe as possible.
Every unit of blood begins with a donor, and we warmly welcome healthy volunteers to give blood and help save lives in our community. Patients and families who need blood will be guided by our staff on the request process, and coverage programs such as Government Health Insurance and the Social Security Fund (SSF) are accepted at BMCTH. For blood bank enquiries or to donate, call 021-422601 or 423182. In an emergency, the blood bank works directly with our 24-hour Emergency team.
What we treat
14 common conditions- Severe anaemia
- Thalassaemia
- Surgery blood loss
- Trauma and accident bleeding
- Bleeding during or after childbirth
- Cancer and chemotherapy
- Low platelet count
- Dengue with low platelets
- Blood cancers
- Bleeding and clotting disorders
- Chronic kidney disease
- Liver disease with bleeding risk
- Severe burns
- Newborn jaundice needing exchange transfusion
Services & procedures
Common questions
Generally, healthy adults who meet age and weight requirements and feel well on the day can donate. Our staff will ask a few health questions and check your haemoglobin and blood pressure before donation to make sure it is safe for you and the patient.
The treating doctor sends a blood request to the blood bank, and a sample from the patient is tested for grouping and cross-matching. Our staff will guide the family on the process, and families are often encouraged to arrange a replacement donor to keep supplies available for everyone.
Yes. Every unit is screened for transfusion-transmissible infections, and donor and patient blood are matched before transfusion to make it as safe as possible.
BMCTH accepts Government Health Insurance, the Social Security Fund (SSF), the Bipanna Nagarik treatment fund for eligible serious illnesses, and the Safe Motherhood Program. Please bring your insurance card or SSF details, a valid ID and any referral letter, and our registration desk will guide you on what applies to your visit.
Call 021-422601 or 423182 for blood bank enquiries or to arrange a donation. In an emergency, patients are first seen in the 24-hour Emergency, which works directly with the blood bank.