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Identified Needs
Dhulikhel Hospital is one of Nepal's leading tertiary referral hospitals, serving a catchment population of approximately 2.7 million people from more than 50 districts. The hospital manages over 300,000 patient visits annually, including emergency trauma, maternal and child health, oncology, dialysis, surgery, intensive care, and other specialized services.
Although the hospital currently operates a blood bank, increasing patient demand has exceeded its existing capacity. The current facility requires modernization to improve blood collection, processing, storage, testing, and distribution. Blood shortages are common during emergencies, festivals, natural disasters, and periods of low voluntary blood donation. Limited equipment also restricts the production of blood components such as packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate, resulting in less efficient use of donated blood.
The project need was identified through consultations with hospital management, blood bank staff, clinicians, the Nepal Red Cross Society, community representatives, and Rotary members. Improving blood transfusion services will significantly reduce preventable deaths and improve healthcare outcomes throughout Kavrepalanchok and neighboring districts.
How the Project Will Meet These Needs
The project will establish a modern, well-equipped blood bank capable of safely collecting, processing, testing, storing, and distributing blood and blood components in accordance with national and international standards.
The project will include:
Procurement and installation of modern blood bank equipment.
Strengthening cold-chain and blood storage capacity.
Installation of blood component separation technology.
Improvement of blood screening and quality assurance systems.
Training of laboratory technologists and blood bank personnel.
Promotion of voluntary blood donation through community awareness campaigns.
Development of standard operating procedures and quality management systems.
The upgraded blood bank will provide reliable access to safe blood for emergency patients, mothers experiencing obstetric hemorrhage, children with severe anemia, trauma victims, surgical patients, cancer patients, dialysis patients, and other critically ill individuals.
Timeline
Phase Activities Duration
Planning Procurement planning, final technical specifications, agreements Month 1
Procurement Purchase and delivery of equipment Months 2â₀"3
Installation Installation, calibration and validation Month 4
Training Staff training and operational testing Month 5
Community Activities Voluntary blood donation campaigns and public awareness Months 5â₀"6
Monitoring & Evaluation Performance monitoring, reporting and project evaluation Months 6â₀"12
Use of Project Funds
Project funds will be used for:
Blood component separator
Blood bank refrigerators and plasma freezers
Platelet incubator and platelet agitator
Blood collection monitors
Blood donor couches
Refrigerated centrifuge
Deep freezer and cold storage equipment
Blood transportation cold boxes
Laboratory equipment and testing supplies
Installation and commissioning
Staff training and technical capacity building
Community voluntary blood donation campaigns
Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
Rotary Club Member Involvement
Rotary members will actively participate throughout the project by:
Conducting community needs assessments.
Coordinating with Dhulikhel Hospital and the Nepal Red Cross Society.
Assisting with procurement oversight and ensuring transparency.
Organizing voluntary blood donation drives in schools, colleges, businesses, and communities.
Conducting public awareness campaigns on voluntary blood donation.
Monitoring project implementation and financial accountability.
Participating in equipment handover ceremonies and community outreach activities.
Monitoring project outcomes and reporting to The Rotary Foundation and project partners.
Supporting long-term sustainability through continued blood donation campaigns and partnership development.
Sustainability
The blood bank will be operated and maintained by Dhulikhel Hospital using its existing technical staff and operational budget. Revenue generated from approved blood processing service charges will contribute to maintenance, equipment servicing, and replacement of consumables. Regular voluntary blood donation campaigns led by Rotary and community partners will help maintain an adequate blood supply. Continuous staff training, preventive maintenance, and quality assurance systems will ensure the long-term sustainability of the project and provide reliable blood transfusion services for many years to come.
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