Pune: Lockdown restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 outbreak in the city has reduced the number of blood donation drives in the city. As a result, hospitals and blood banks are facing shortage of blood and plasma.
Akash Khamkar, a 25-year-old man was searching for blood donors who could donate AB negative blood for his father whose haemoglobin count had reduced and had to undergo dialysis while being admitted to a private hospital in Pune. Akash inquired at all hospitals and blood banks but could not find the required blood bag. He received help from an online campaign ‘Blood for Pune’ due to which he received information about a donor who came and donated blood.
Akash's father Ajit Khamkar has been undergoing dialysis for the last four years. They have never had a problem with blood availability before. Meanwhile, the number of blood donation camps has been reduced due to Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown restrictions. Blood supply to blood banks and hospitals in Pune has been reduced. Khamkar family is one of those who has experienced this. Especially donors of negative blood groups are becoming difficult to find.
Piyush Shah, Founder Director, Love Care Share Foundation, said, “Covid-19 outbreak has reduced the number of blood camps held this year, which has led to an increase in demand for blood in major hospitals in the city. Our foundation has launched a campaign on social media platforms and we are appealing to citizens to donate blood.”
Dr Atul Kulkarni of Jankalyan Blood Bank said, “Citizens are afraid to step out and donate blood because of the fear of catching coronavirus infection. As a result, blood collection stock has come down and there is a shortage of blood not only in hospitals but also in various blood banks. Also, as the overall blood donation drives have slowed down, finding people with negative blood groups has become more difficult. There is a need for creating public awareness among the citizens and blood donation drives should be done as a social responsibility. Patients who have recovered from Covid-19 should also donate plasma. All blood banks in the city are appealing citizens regarding this.”
REASONS BEHIND LESS BLOOD COLLECTION
