HIV/AIDS in Maharashtra: Blood, money, blood banks and technology transfer

Abstract

This is the second in a series of two articles (the first appeared in Contemporary South Asia , 10:1) on HIV/AIDS in India and the transfer of Australian technology to assist with bringing the epidemic under control. It is estimated that between five and eight percent of India's HIV infections have occurred through contaminated blood supplies. Australian blood technology has been identified as international best practice, and this article examines the transfer of this technology to the Mumbai Red Cross Blood Bank. This examination is preceded by an exposition of the cultural context within which India's blood supply has developed, including the 'cultural metaphor of blood', how blood has been regarded in the long run of Indian history, and how colonialism changed the metaphor from a polluting and horrific fluid to a lifesaving substance. This is followed by an account of the evolution of India's modern blood supply, the current problems with the infrastructure that seeks to deliver more blood to an ever-expanding demand, and how improvements might be made to both the quality and quantity of blood available, with special emphasis on the role of 'replacement blood donors' in the Indian system.

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