A Comprehensive System for Managing Blood Resources Leveraging Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and Non-Fungible Tokens

Abstract

The escalating demand for blood and its derivatives in the medical field underpins its indispensable nature for disease diagnosis and therapy. Such essential life-giving components are irreplaceable, necessitating a continuous reliance on voluntary blood donors. Existing methodologies primarily address the challenges of blood storage and its logistical distribution among healthcare centers. These conventional strategies lean towards centralized systems, often compromising data transparency and accessibility. Notably, there remains a significant gap in incentivizing and raising awareness among potential and existing donors regarding the life-saving act of blood donation. Recognizing these challenges, we introduce a robust and innovative framework that harnesses the potential of Blockchain technology, coupled with the power of smart contracts. Furthermore, to foster a sustainable blood donation ecosystem, we advocate the shift from traditional paper-based recognition to digitized donor acknowledgment using Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Our novel approach encapsulates four key areas: (a) Introduction of a supply chain oversight mechanism for blood and its derivatives through Blockchain and smart contracts; (b) Development of a digital certification system for blood donors utilizing NFTs; (c) Execution of our suggested framework via smart contracts, offering a tangible proof-of-concept; and (d) Assessment and implementation of the proof-of-concept across four prominent platforms: ERC721 (ETH’s NFT), and the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) employing the Solidity language – this encompasses the BNB Smart Chain, Fantom, Polygon, and Celo, aiming to discern the optimal platform compatible with our innovative framework.