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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Need to lessen demand-supply gap for blood: Health activists
Ranchi: Despite completing 25 years of statehood, Jharkhand continues to face a chronic shortage of blood across its districts, particularly in rural and tribal regions. Ahead of the World Blood Donor Day on Saturday, health experts and civil society organisations on Friday raised concerns over the widening gap between demand and availability of blood. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They also cited lack of infrastructure, inadequate blood banks and logistical challenges as major hurdles as reasons for the widening gap. Jharkhand Rajya Swekshik Raktdan Samanvay Samiti, a social outfit working in the field of blood donation, said around 10,000 children in the state suffer from thalassemia and sickle cell disease, while around 1,500 more are affected by other blood-related disorders. These patients require blood regularly. Moreover, the state requires nearly 10 lakh units of blood annually, but only about 3.2 lakh units are collected, the outfit said. Currently, the state has only one mobile blood donation bus, costing Rs 1.6 crore, equipped with four donor chairs and operating within a 150-km range. Blood donation organisers also stress the need for such mobile units in every district to improve access, especially in remote areas. Sadar hospital lacked a Pentapack machine since 2018 and although Rims runs a model blood bank, donors face poor sanitation and have no drinking water facilities. Atul Gera of Lifesavers Ranchi said, "We don't face a crisis of rare blood groups specifically as their demand is relatively low. What we are dealing with is the general shortage of blood." Gera also said private sector was reluctant to comply with lack of compliance with the National Blood Policy. "In tribal areas, there is also a lack of awareness, cultural hesitation and logistical difficulty in reaching donation centres," he added.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Ranchi hikes refreshment amount for blood donors
Ranchi: Civil surgeon-cum-chief medical officer of Ranchi raised the allotted refreshment amount for each blood donor from Rs 25 to Rs 50. The revised provision would allow the inclusion of a 1-lt water bottle besides the juice, cake, and chocolate. Atul Gera of Liver Saver's said, "Hydration is critical post donation. The Rs 50 allocation ensures basic needs are met and eases the burden on organising groups." State co-ordinator of the Jharkhand Rajkiya Swaikshik Raktdan Co-ordination Committee (voluntary blood donors), Nadeem Khan, said, "We have been demanding Rs 100-worth refreshment packet for each donor as the mount has never been revised since the state was formed. Referring to the poor infrastructure at blood banks, he said, "We demand proper implementation of blood replacement donor card, which was relaunched on April 9. Many districts are yet to implement it. The cards must be accepted at all govt and autonomous blood banks across the state. Also, we need a portal and app for blood donation with features like a digital donor directory, tracking system, donor card, and WhatsApp-based demand alerts. We have submitted a memorandum to health minister Irfan Ansari. Ansari said, "We will convene a meeting with the organisers of blood donation camps to decide the next step regarding the refreshment provision and other issues."
