Faced with dip in donors, Chennai doctors call for more blood donations

With the average blood donation rate in India being lower than in many high-income countries — leading to a shortfall in quantum and access to safe blood— blood banks in the state are urging the public to come forward to donate.

While Tamil Nadu already has the highest number of blood donors, there is never enough blood in the bank for a state.

Citing the example of anaemic mothers and the problem of dengue that the state is faced with, Dr Kiruba R, a general practitioner said, “We can administer medicines to our patients, however, if the medication fails, blood has to be given.” One of reasons for the fall in the quantum of blood in the banks is due to the fact that a number of educational institutions are now closed for mid-term. “Most of our donors are from colleges, which when shut, affects our camps. When we conduct a camp in such institutions, we get at least 200 to 250 donors,” said Dr Magitha, from Lions Blood Bank, which caters to at least 600 hospitals in and around Chennai.

Sebastian Paulraj, from the Lions Blood Bank, said, “A number of patients have been affected by dengue and therefore blood has been a major requirement.

We too do not have stock right now. We are therefore calling our old donors to come forward for donation, which is the only way we can afford to meet our daily requirement of approximately 500 units of blood.” It is estimated that an average of 10,000 people may be in need of blood in the city every day. Private blood banks are said have around 2,000 units of blood. “Donors are already fewer in number. When platelets reduce, one patient will need five units of platelet. There is more demand for platelets due to dengue, so there is a general shortage in all the blood banks.

People should be more aware of the importance of donation and not stay away from volunteering,” added Dr Kiruba.

However, Government Hospitals like the Institute for Child Health and Children’s Hospital, Egmore, claim to have no shortage.

“We receive at least 150 to 200 units from each mobile camp that we conduct. On a daily basis, we would require between 70 to 100 units, and therefore, our stock proves sufficient,” said Dr Srinivasan, who heads the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at ICH.

However, it is important that people are aware of the need for blood donations and come forward to donate, he added