Chandigarh: Covid-19 peak may cause blood donor crunch

CHANDIGARH: All three public blood banks might face voluntary donor crunch when new coronavirus cases are expected to peak in the city later this month.
With the possibility of most people ending up in quarantine or getting infected, doctors have recommended Covid patients to come forward for donation (after 28 days of recovery). If thousands of patients turn positive daily in the weeks to come, most donors will become ineligible, creating shortage of blood.
“As the epidemic grows, donors may become ineligible. But those who have recovered and are healthy after 28 days, should come forward. Both non-Covid or Covid patients should come forward for voluntary blood donation,” said Prof Rati Ram, head of the blood transfusion medicine, PGI. He said, “The situation might turn grim with the rise in the number of the viral infections.”
PGI daily collects and processes 250 units of blood for its thalassemia, cancer and other trauma patients. “Those infected with Covid can also donate plasma following the requisite conditions,” said Prof Ram. However, clarifying that the infection does not spread via blood, he said, “We will take voluntary disclosure from these patients and there should be a discharge certificate from Covid patients.”
The other two blood banks in Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, and Government Multi-specialty Hospital, Sector 16, have a requirement of around 50 units of blood daily. “As the educational institutions are closed since March, there are some limitations. However, we have organisations which come forward. The requirement of the blood has dropped by 50% in the surgeries as we do not have routine surgeries,” said Dr Ravneet Kaur, blood bank in-charge, GMCH.
Though blood donation camps have started, blood banks need more donors to come directly to hospitals. “We are engaging the same groups and volunteers, but more should come forward. There has to be a gap of three months after blood donation,” said Dr Simerjeet from GMSH.