During the summer, blood banks in Prakasam district are usually faced with a lack of blood. But this time, with the pandemic in the country, the situation has gotten worse and health professionals are concerned.
Curfew contributes to suffering
Blood banks rely heavily on members of GenX who volunteer to do what is necessary and breathe new life into critical patients. Organizing blood donation camps in colleges was one way NGOs received donors. However, with all college and engineering schools closed and many leaving for their hometowns, the vital source of blood is now no longer available. With the partial curfew in force in the state, NGOs find it difficult to organize camps to rop up other parts of society.
Clueless about how the demand for blood to treat trauma and other emergencies continues to grow, healthcare workers have no choice but to postpone all elective surgeries.
“Severe crisis”
“The IRCS blood bank had no stocks in the past 10 days. We did not have such a severe shortage even during the first wave of coronavirus, “said PP Prakash Babu, chairman of the Prakasam Unit of the Indian Red Cross Society, while taking stock of the situation.
In addition, the shortage is only compounded as those in the 18- to 45-year-old age group who are scheduled to receive vaccines in the next few days are only compounded. Teens who have just received the second dose of vaccine will have to wait for 28 before donating blood, he said in a conversation with The Hindu.
“The demand for safe blood for patients at county headquarters alone is in the 150 to 200 units per month range,” he said. The situation is no different with other blood banks in the district.
“Even when relatives are willing to pay a heavy fee, there is no blood. Relatives of people who need blood for complex surgeries go from one blood bank to another and in many cases do not receive it until they have agreed on a replacement, ”he said.
The long awaited automatic blood component separator did not see the light of day. Although the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation has pledged £ 80 as part of its social responsibility commitment, the facility has not yet been completed.