Blood bank unit at local Civil Hospital grapples with shortage

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 27

Even as officials of the district administration and the Health Department are claiming to have put in place elaborate arrangements to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, the state of affairs at the blood bank unit of the local Civil Hospital paint a different picture altogether.

A senior Health Department functionary said it was essential that blood banks in the state were well-equipped and must have an adequate stock of blood to meet demands in case of community spread of the virus

The unit is grappling with a shortage of blood these days and according to experts, the disease affects lungs of patients, who may require blood transfusion in critical condition. A senior Health Department functionary said it was essential that blood banks in the state are well equipped and have an adequate stock of blood to meet demands in case of community spread of the virus.

As per data procured from the blood bank unit, there are 167 units of blood which is well short of the required volume that shall be maintained at a blood bank of any government hospital.

Sources in the blood bank unit said a stock of at least 250 units has to be maintained but in case of a pandemic such as Covid-19, more units may be required. At the blood bank unit, there are three units of O- blood group, four units of AB-, 16 units of O+ and 21 units of A+ blood group while there is an ample volume of B+ blood (90 units).

The Blood Transfusion Officer of the Civil Hospital, Dr Karishma, said: “There is certainly a shortage of blood units as of now. We have not been able to hold camps in the district to collect blood due to the curfew. We are able to meet the daily demand of blood and if there is requirement, we will seek assistance of NGOs.”