Modern Blood Banking: Systems, Safety & Donor Services

Dr. Ritu Saxena is a senior Pathologist and Transfusion Medicine specialist with over 26 years of extensive experience spanning clinical practice, academic medicine, and public health. She currently serves as Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, Shri Siddhivinayak Medical College & Hospital, Sambhal. Dr. Saxena completed her MD in Pathology from the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Jolly Grant, and her MBBS from Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College and Hospital, Pune. Her expertise encompasses Clinical Pathology, Hematology, Immunology, Serology, Cytopathology, Histopathology, Immunohistochemistry, and Transfusion Medicine. She was instrumental as an expert in establishing the Dr. Sachin Saxena Charitable Blood Bank’s first Blood Component Centre and Apheresis Unit in the district, as well as in setting up the NABL- and ICMR-recognized Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory during the COVID-19 pandemic. Academically, she has held key positions including Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, and Head of Department in Pathology across various medical institutions. She has made significant contributions to undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and has been actively involved in strengthening laboratory quality systems and accreditation practices. Dr. Saxena has held leadership roles in the Indian Medical Association, including Vice President (Uttar Pradesh State, Zone 1) and President of the Sambhal branch. She is also the founder of Prayas Ek Pahal, a non-governmental organization dedicated to women’s empowerment, safety, and health awareness. Her contributions to medicine and public health have been recognized through numerous awards, including the prestigious Dr. B. C. Roy National Award for her services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ritu Saxena’s career represents a rare integration of scientific excellence, ethical commitment, academic leadership, and community service—principles that form the foundation of this book.

Dr. Nidhi Pagia, MBBS, MD (Pathology) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Blood Bank at Siddhi Vinayak Medical College, Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. She completed her MBBS from King George Medical College, Lucknow, and MD in Pathology from M.P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat. Her academic interests include diagnostic pathology, hematology, and transfusion medicine, with active involvement in teaching and clinical practice.

Dr. Smriti Varshney, MBBS, DCP, DNB (Pathology) is an Assistant Professor and Blood Centre Medical Officer in the Department of Pathology at Shri Siddhi Vinayak Medical College & Hospital, Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. With over 9 years of experience, she has expertise in transfusion medicine, blood banking, hematology, cytopathology, and immunohematology. She has worked at reputed institutions including Bangalore Medical College, Medanta Hospital, and Dr. Lal PathLabs. Dr. Varshney has actively organized 100+ blood donation camps and has received recognition at national and international conferences for her academic contributions.