Transfusion medicine is a field of medicine that touches upon the aspects of transfusion of blood and its components. It is a kind of medical therapy that is performed to minimise life loss. It a very diverse discipline that encompasses issues related to blood donation, laboratory testing of transmitted diseases, management of transfusion practices, cellular theory, patient blood management and different aspects of stem cells. Tremendous progress can be witnessed in the field of blood transfusion science. The journey began with the discovery of blood groups followed by techniques of safer whole blood transfusions. And from the safer whole blood transfusion to blood components and their derivatives. This process of selectively removing blood components is known as apheresis. Being a highly specific and effective medical therapy, the blood transfusion specialists are required to do assessment and evaluation based on plasma volume, coagulation factor dosages and anticoagulant factor. The responsibilities and duties of a blood transfusion specialist are varied in nature and a lot more than the specialists of another field. It varies from direct patient care to management and optimal utilisation of the limited resources. The importance of transfusion medicine can be evaluated from its role in the transplantation based on hematopoietic stem cell. 

Diploma in transfusion medicine is a highly diverse and intensive course. The course is designed to impart training in the fundamental and elemental details of blood transfusion and to develop a deep understanding of the principles of blood transfusion. The course expects the student to gain proficiency in aspects like analysis of immunohematology, clinical transfusion services, quality control in blood transfusion, emergency medicine, autoimmunity, therapeutic Apheresis, administration of blood centre policies, collection of blood and its components along with its storage and preservation. The curriculum is thoroughly guided and highly supervised and prepares students to render special consultative services. To equip students with expertise in the field, they are required to participate in research, case presentations, clinical Audit, Grand round presentation, seminars and journal club. Unlike the other courses, this course is structured in such a manner that the student gets the practical exposure of first-hand knowledge, prim it and concepts of Blood transfusion. The curriculum also provides additional competency in medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning, soft skills, organisational and managerial skills. Overall, the course prepares the students for a highly skilled job through both intensive didactic lectures and practical training in all facets of blood transfusion science. 

The course can be taken by the candidates who have completed the 10+2 with science as a primary subject. The course is delivered for a duration of 2 years. A career in this field is very promising as one can seek employment in sectors like government hospitals, private clinics, biomedical companies, military hospitals, medical universities and many more. The job roles offered include consultancy, blood band technologist, medical officer, transfusion medical technician and others. Transfusion medicine specialists will be the ones who lead blood centres and there will be atleast one opening for them in every big hospital. They will also be And if one wants to enrich one’s understanding of this field, the option of further studies is always open.