Covid-19 lockdown creates acute shortage at blood banks adding to healthcare burden


Team Udayavani, May 7, 2020, 11:46 AM IST

Blood banks in most states are facing acute shortages as blood donation  has dried up during the lockdown. The main reason being people scared of donating blood due to Covid-19 which has impacted the lives of several patients who are dependent on regular blood supply.

Hospitals and blood banks do not have blood units in stock. Cancer, kidney patients and those suffering from thalassemia need blood frequently.  Blood is usually infused in these patients every two to five weeks. For transfusion, only freshly drawn blood is used, so the blood units given out to these patients should not be more than one week from collection date.

It is said that the hospitals are now asking the patients to bring along a donor before any medical procedure can happen.

India was short of 1.9 million units of blood a year as India does not have a system to manage blood banks and not many people donate, unless someone in their family needs it. But now, the situation has worsened due to the lockdown as fewer donors are coming forward due to restrictions on movement and fear.

In States such as Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, there is a mounting concern around blood shortage.

Even in Karnataka, as there is a shortage in supply of blood, Health and Family Welfare in Karnataka, along with NGOs and blood banks, is taking measures to ensure adequate supply of blood.

The State has 230 blood banks, including 43 government banks. Usually, blood camps are conducted when there are at least 50 or more donors. Also, blood banks which usually have a stock of 3,000 to 4,000 units a month now have hardly 80 to 100 units with them.

Karnataka has set up 17 blood collection centres in five zones of the state. Donors can call the helpline at 9154153920 and register themselves. They will be taken to the blood banks and dropped back at their homes free of cost after collection. Also, 50% of the blood collected will be handed over to government blood banks and it will be distributed as per requirement.

Social distancing measures will be followed at the blood collection centres and the vehicles used for transporting the donors will be disinfected after each use.

However, the blood shortage does not have direct impact   on Covid-19 patient. But in some cases abroad, doctors have used plasma from Covid-19-recovered patients for infusion and in such cases even Covid-19 patients will be in need of blood.

 

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Women centric schemes game-changer for Maharashtra, Jharkhand?

AR Rahman sends notice to ‘slanderers’ over speculations surrounding separation with Saira Banu

No anti-government sentiment in Kerala, claims CM Vijayan

Jaiswal’s Perth Simulation: 200 overs in 2 days, inclined concrete slab, lighter synthetic balls

PCB says no meeting with ICC, BCCI officials on November 26 to resolve CT imbroglio

Australia coach McDonald surprised about behaviour of wicket on Day two

Sharad Pawar: Assembly poll rout raises question of existence for patriarch’s political legacy

Related Articles More

Key to past: Indore man collects 570 typewriters from across the world

Kambala: Tradition and modernity in coastal Karnataka

Dairy farmers in K’taka border areas selling milk to Kerala for higher price!

Kadaba: ‘Notion that only English-medium education leads to success is misleading’

Udupi: ‘Team Taulava’ takes charge to preserve endangered ancient monuments

MUST WATCH

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation


Latest Additions

Satwik, Chirag doubles pair bows out of China Masters semifinals

Puttur: Two arrested for misconduct under influence of drugs

Kaup: Massive campaign and awareness rally Nov 26 for Constitution protection

Never entered into pact to operate airport in Kenya: Adani

Women centric schemes game-changer for Maharashtra, Jharkhand?

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.