Blood shortage another challenge

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 14

Amid the rising number of Covid cases, blood shortage has emerged as another challenge for the Health Department as people are reluctant to donate blood because of the pandemic.

The Civil Hospital is left with only 100 units of blood. It requires around 25 units of blood daily for the delivery of babies and medical surgeries. Besides, around five units of plasma and six to seven units of platelets are required daily for patients. To tide over the problem, the department has initiated a pick-and-drop facility along with the issuance of e-passes for people who wish to donate blood. The department cannot hold a blood donation camp owing to the pandemic.

Dr Sanjay Verma, Regional Blood Transfusion Officer, said: “The department cannot hold a big blood donation camp because of Covid. Small camps are the only option.”

“Since the Civil Hospital has been converted into a non-Covid facility, all emergency and pregnancy-related surgeries are being conducted here, leading to high demand for blood units,” he said, adding social organisations were helping the department in collecting blood units. Pankaj Gaba, a social activist, said he has been holding camps with the help of his friends since April 27 last year. “So far, we have organised 44 camps and donated around 1,500 units,” he added. In May, they have orgnaised four camps, in which 80 people donated blood.