Leveraging Blockchain for Real‑Time Monitoring and Optimization of Blood Supply Networks

Nasurudeen Ahamed N; Tanweer Alam; Mohamed Benaida

doi:10.15575/join.v11i1.1620

Authors

Nasurudeen Ahamed N College of Information Technology, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tanweer Alam Faculty of Computer and Information Systems, Islamic University of Madinah, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Benaida Faculty of Computer and Information Systems, Islamic University of Madinah, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15575/join.v11i1.1620

Keywords:

Blockchain, Blood Supply Chain, Cold Chain, Hyperledger, Hyperledger Fabric, IPFS

Abstract

Blood is one of the most vital fluids in the human body. Many existing blood donation systems lack sufficient time, reliable data, effective tracking, data integrity, visibility, monitoring, anonymity, and privacy. Centralized systems are also prone to failures due to their dependence on fixed locations. As a result, the availability of blood continues to decline while the demand steadily increases. Furthermore, current blood management frameworks face challenges due to the need for detailed data collection and the lack of consistent data transparency. Healthcare systems worldwide continue to struggle with ensuring the timely availability of safe blood, largely due to fragmented supply chains, limited visibility, and inefficient inventory management. This paper proposes a novel blood supply chain framework based on blockchain technology to address these challenges. Blockchain is an emerging technology gaining popularity across various domains, including voting systems, smart cities, and healthcare. This study explores how blockchain can enable real-time monitoring and optimization of blood supply networks by providing a decentralized and tamper-proof ledger for tracking donations, storage conditions, transportation, and transfusions. The proposed framework enhances data accessibility by incorporating generalized blood supply information into the shared ledger. The framework utilizes a permissioned blockchain, specifically Hyperledger Fabric, to ensure secure and efficient transaction management. This approach eliminates intermediaries and reduces the risk of illegal blood trade. Smart contracts are implemented within the permissioned network using Go and Java language to enforce data integrity and prevent unauthorized modifications. In the proposed blood cold chain framework, data cannot be altered once recorded, ensuring transparency and reliability, while continuously captured data is maintained in a simplified and structured manner. The effectiveness and value of the proposed solution are validated through a comprehensive evaluation process.

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