The Institute of Blood Transfusion and Immuno Haematology is working on a project of purifying blood, before it is ready for transfusion at its thalassaemia unit. Speaking to Metro on Tuesday, director of the institute Asish Bhowmik said it has been decided to “wash each blood particle” before it is administered to a thalassaemia patient.

“We are working on this project overtime for the benefit of patients,” he said, adding that all centres offering blood transfusion in Calcutta and elsewhere should look at the purification aspect before transfusion.

At a function to mark the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on Tuesday, minister of state for health Pratyush Mukherjee said the state government has decided to ask all blood banks to analyse the donated samples to ensure purity. “We want blood banks to initiate more research in these kinds of jobs,” the minister said.

The minister also released an audio cassette, Raktadaaner Gaan, a collection of eight songs, popularising blood donation among masses.

The cassette release was a part of the West Bengal State AIDS Prevention and Control Society and the Sonata Foundation’s joint endeavour to propagate the message of blood donation. A book, Raktadaan, published by the West Bengal Voluntary Blood Donors Forum, was also released on the occasion. “I am sure the book and the cassette will increase people’s awareness about blood purity and donations,” minister Mukherjee added.