Welcome to the Department of Transfusion Medicine at Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH)! For over seven decades,
we've been at the forefront of blood transfusion services in Tamil Nadu, proudly standing as the largest government blood center in the state.
History
Established in 1949, the Department of Transfusion Medicine at Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) stands as a pioneer in government-run blood transfusion services in Tamil Nadu. Over the decades,
it has evolved into the largest Government Blood Centre in the state, collecting over 30,000 blood units annually.
Round-the-Clock Lifeline
Providing 24x7 blood services, including complete blood component therapy, entirely free for poor patients. Blood and components are readily available for emergencies,
disasters, and clinical needs, with stock always maintained on the shelf.
Voluntary Blood Donation camps
With 250–300 blood donation camps held annually, the center is powered by voluntary blood donors.
A state-of-the-art Hi-Tech Mobile Blood Bus, launched in 2009 at a cost of ₹50 lakhs, enables city-wide donation camps and enhances community outreach. The blood center prepares
and supplies nearly 90,000 blood products every year to multiple super-specialty departments
Apheresis Donations
Single Donor Platelet (SDP) collection through apheresis was initiated as early as 2005, now achieving nearly 300 collections annually with consistent success and
delivering high-quality, life-saving products
National Contributions
Actively participated in the ICMR PLACID Trial, contributing to COVID-19 convalescent plasma therapy research during the pandemic.
Academic Excellence
Now a designated Metro Blood Bank temporary site, the center has been upgraded to a Centre of Excellence, and NMC has granted 3 MD seats in Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion annually,
shaping the next generation of specialists.
Furthermore, we serve as a Regional Training Center, imparting crucial knowledge and skills to Blood Center Medical Officers, Counselors, Staff Nurses, and Lab Technicians from across the region.
BLOOD CENTRE- RECEPTION & COUNSELLING AREA
BLOOD CENTRE- RECEPTION & COUNSELLING AREA
REGIONAL TESTING CENTRE- IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY
Faculty & Residents
Dr.S.Subash
Professor /HOD
Dr. Subash S. did his MBBS degree at Chengalpattu medical college(1989-1995) and did his DCH at Madras medical college(2002-2004) and his MD(master degree) at Tamilnadu Dr. MGR medical university(2006-2009) is a dedicated specialist in Transfusion Medicine with a keen interest in apheresis, immunohematology, and blood donor safety. He actively contributes to medical education, research, and quality improvement in blood banking, and is committed to advancing safe transfusion practices through innovation, training, and evidence-based approaches.
Dr. S. Aswinkumar
Associate professor
DR.S.ASWIN KUMAR MBBS (2010), MD (2014, Gold Medal), NABH Technical Assessor for blood banks. Implemented column agglutination technology (2017), leukoreduction (2018), Donor/Therapeutic apheresis (2024), and specialized pediatric plasma/red cell exchange. Achieved full automation in infectious disease screening (2025). Focused on quality assurance of blood products.
Dr.G.Kavitha
Assistant Professor
DR.G.KAVITHA MBBS(1997),MD(2016),Joined MMC on 2020 and was a part of CONVALESCENT PLASMA TRIAL(PLACID) published 6 JOURNALS of which 2 holding 1st author position,3 holding 2nd author position and 1 holding corresponding author position ,was a part of young medical faculty PhD program under ACSIR-DHR-ICMR
Dr.S.Sudha
Senior Resident
She did her undergraduation in Madras Medical College in 1998. Joined Tamil Nadu services in 2008.Then did her diploma in clinical pathology at Stanley Medical College in 2016. She did her master in M.D in Immunohaematology and transfusion medicine in Madras Medical College in 2022. Joined as Assistant Professor in Madras Medical College.
Dr.S.Sangeetha
Senior Resident
She did her MBBS degree at Thanjavur medical college(2012-2017) and joined government service at Tamilnadu state on 2019.She finished her MD degree in Transfusion medicine at Madras medical college(2022-2025).She joined as Senior Resident at Department of Transfusion medicine on 2025 and continuing till now
Dr.Klaus Gorlinger is a global medical director at TEM Innovations GmbH/werfen PBM , Munich. He had given a thought-provoking lecture on ROTEM(Rotational thromboelastometry) in the patient blood management topic at out department.
Success Stories
v2019-2020 The ICMR -
PLACID TRIAL for Convalescent Plasma in the management of moderate Covid-19 in
India was successfully completed in the Department of Transfusion Medicine.
More than 500 convalescent plasma had been collected from the COVID recovered patients
and were used for treating moderately COVID-19 patients.
v2020- First
Government Blood Centre in Tamilnadu to have Regional testing centre facility
for Basic and Advanced Immunohematological workup. The compatible antigen
negative blood units are issued under the guidance of Transfusion specialist
for all Immunohematological discrepancy cases.
v2021 Upgraded into the
center of excellence and now functioning as the temporary site of Metro Blood
Bank with all advanced facilities like Automation with HLA and Coagulation
Laboratory.
v2022--Patient Blood
Management with Thromboelastometry for critical cases & liver Transplant.
Peripheral Stem Cells Collection, cryopreservation & thawing was started
along with Haematology Department.
v2022- NMC permitted 3
post graduate seats for MD Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion and as of now
9 PG candidates are pursuing the course.
v2022- Designated as
Refresher Training centre by Tamilnadu Blood Transfusion Council for training
of Medical officers, Staff nurses & lab technicians so far 415
personals of various cadres were trained.
v2023- We conducted state level
refresher training programme for Medical officers,staff nurses,lab technicians
from all over Tamil Nadu and other state
v2024- We successfully conducted
TRANSMEDCON 2024, national level conference for the post graduates and
Transfusion Medicine faculties from all over India. Over 1000 faculties
participated in the workshops and seminars conducted for about four days in the
conference and acquired knowlegde in the recent aspects of emerging era of
transfusion medicine.
v2025- First batch of M.D.,
(Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine ) passed out from Madras Medical
College and have demanded for two more post graduates in the coming years.
Central Laboratory
Delivering 24x7 Advanced Transfusion Services
We are proud to offer the most advanced and comprehensive blood transfusion services functioning round-the-clock to support critical care, surgeries, emergencies, and chronic transfusion needs
Our Key Facilities
Safe Blood Donation Environment- A donor-friendly setting with post-donation counselling and care.
Blood Donor Registry Access -Rapid access to rare and common blood groups, including Rh-negative donors.
Plateletpheresis & Therapeutic Apheresis- Single donor platelets, multicomponent collection, and apheresis for selected conditions.
Leukoreduced Blood Components-Available for immunocompromised and critical patients.
Fully Automated Pre-Transfusion Testing-Blood grouping, cross-matching, and antibody screening using state-of-the-art automation.
Advanced Donor Screening with automated chemiluminescence for maximum safety.
Robust Quality Assurance Program-Ensuring continuous safety, adequacy, and reliability of all transfusions.
Comprehensive Transfusion Support-Specialized care for: -Thalassemia, Hemophilia
Major surgeries, Autoimmune disorders, Platelet function disorders Pediatric transfusions
