City hosps witness blood shortage

Mangaluru: Most hospitals in the city are facing blood shortage since last month, which is usually noticed during this time of the year. Ramadan, elections and peak summer are some of the factors that have led to few people donating blood. However, the situation is expected to stabilise soon.
Dr Sharath Kumar Rao J, senior consultant and HoD, department of immunohematology and transfusion medicine, Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, at the Wenlock District Hospital told TOI that they started noticing blood shortage in April and it increased in May, especially during elections. The daily requirement is 80-100 units and managing donors has been a challenge. “At present, through donors, we are able to meet 50% of the demand. We urge donors to come forward and donate blood,” he said.
A representative from a private hospital in the city said that many patients in need of negative blood groups are finding it hard to find a donor. With medical tourism growing and patients from neighbouring districts, including Kerala coming for treatment with one bystander, who may not have local contacts, making it difficult to find donors or even replacement for the blood used. “We encourage employees, including security staff, to donate blood, whenever a shortage is noticed. Several procedures related to heart or cancer need blood. There is also an urgent need to recognise donors, so that more people come forward to donate blood,” the representative said.
Dr Shamee Shastry, professor and HoD, department of immunoheamatology, KMC, Manipal said last week for two days blood shortage was witnessed, but the situation was brought under control through donation camps. “The situation keeps fluctuating depending on the number of cases at hospitals or poor response from donors. Generally, during summer vacations when colleges are closed we face shortage, but we keep mobilising donors and stay in touch with camp organisers. An average of 100-130 units of different blood components are issued daily,” she said.
The Indian Red Cross Society, Dakshina Kannada district branch, is grateful to its well-established network and student donors. An average of 1,650 units per month was issued in the past four months, said CA Shantaram Shetty, chairman, IRCS, DK. He added that they have been able to meet the demands mainly through student donors and most of the blood is given to Lady Goschen Hospital.