Nagpur is facing a serious shortage of whole blood, putting pressure on hospitals and blood banks. With blood stocks running low, hospitals have started asking patients’ relatives to donate blood. Some major hospitals have also asked their employees to donate blood to help meet the demand. According to e-RaktKosh, the online blood bank management system under the National Health Mission, Nagpur has 15 blood banks, including two Government-run banks. Of these, 10 have no stock of whole blood. Three others have only a small quantity left. Only two blood banks have a better stock. A senior doctor told ‘The Hitavada’ that blood stocks have remained low since the beginning of Diwali. Fewer blood donation camps have been organised during this period.

 

As a result, less blood is reaching blood banks. People also tend to avoid donating blood during festivals as they remain busy with celebrations and family activities. However, the demand for blood in hospitals has not fallen. Patients continue to need blood for surgeries, accidents, cancer treatment and other emergencies. With fewer donations and demand remaining the same, doctors are finding it difficult to arrange blood for patients when needed. Whole blood is blood collected directly from a donor. It contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. Unlike other blood donations, it is stored without separating these components. It is needed mainly when a patient loses a large amount of blood. This can happen in serious accidents, major surgeries or cases of heavy bleeding during childbirth. Whole blood helps replace the blood lost by the patient.

 

In most cases, donated blood is separated into different components. These components can then be used to treat different patients. However, whole blood is still needed in certain medical emergencies. With stocks running low, hospitals are now asking patients’ relatives to donate blood. Some major hospitals have also prepared lists of employees and asked them to come forward as donors. This is being done to ensure that patients do not suffer due to a lack of blood. Doctors said regular blood donation camps are important to maintain stocks. They have appealed to healthy people to donate blood. They said hospitals depend on voluntary donors as blood cannot be manufactured.