In a move to upgrade the Government hospital at Valparai, the Health Department in Coimbatore has sought the higher-ups for a blood storage facility at the secondary-level hospital in the hill station.
Once the blood storage facility is set up, it will become beneficial for patients who require immediate transfusion of blood and components.
As of now, patients requiring blood transfusion are referred to the Government Hospital in Pollachi, which is around 65 km away. High risk cases are further shifted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) ,which is more than 100km away.
P. Krishna, Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (in-charge), said the request for the blood storage facility was under the consideration of the Department.
“The facility can save accident victims who are taken to the hospital with heavy blood loss. Conditions of such patients can be stabilised through transfusion if a blood storage facility is operational. Even patients can undergo transfusion in transit to the tertiary level hospital,” said Ms. Krishna.
She said that blood for the storage facility could be sourced through voluntary blood donation camps or from government blood banks.
The four government blood banks in Coimbatore district are located at CMCH, Government Hospital Mettupalayam, Government Hospital Pollachi, and the ESI Medical College Hospital at Singanallur. Apart from these, 19 blood banks are operational in private hospitals in the district.
Antenatal check-ups
Ms. Krishna said that antenatal registration and periodical check up by pregnant women at Valparai GH has tremendously increased following awareness activities.
“As of now, 40 to 50 pregnant women are coming for periodical check up at the hospital.”
Village health nurses and sector health nurses were undertaking door-to-door campaigns to educate pregnant women on the need for getting registered at the hospital and attending periodical checking for safe institutional delivery, she said.
“We are identifying high risk cases early and referring them to Pollachi GH or CMCH to avoid complications as they have advanced treatment facilities. Delivery related complications have come down due to this” she added.