Shortage of blood adds to woes of patients

Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 5

Relatives of patients admitted to Bhai Mani Singh Civil Hospital and sub-divisional hospitals in Bathinda are facing a tough time in arranging blood.

The government-run blood bank at the local Civil Hospital, which also provides blood units to five sub-centres — Talwandi Sabo, Goniana, Ghuda, Bhagta and Nathana blocks, is facing a shortage of blood units.

Gurcharan Singh, a resident of Talwandi Sabo, said, “My daughter was admitted to the maternity ward at sub-divisonal hospital in Talwandi Sabo last week. I had to arrange blood for her twice. Initially, I approached the blood bank in Talwandi Sabo where I was informed that A -ve blood was unavailable. Thereafter, I filled a form given by the Talwandi Sabo blood bank and after taking samples, I went to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda, to get a bottle of blood. But I did not get A-ve blood group at the hospital.”

“Luckily, the matter was brought to the notice of the blood transfusion officer. Thereafter, he got A-ve blood group arranged. Moreover, I have no conveyance and public transport consumes a lot of time. It is imperative for the state government to improve the system and ensure adequate availability of blood at hospitals,” he added.

Blood transfusion officer admitted that sometime they face shortage of all –ve blood groups. Due to which the supply of blood units to five sub-centres got disrupted, he added.

Civil Surgeon Hari Narayn Singh, said, “We are organising many camps to create awareness about voluntary blood donation. Soon, all problems relating to blood shortage will be resolved.”