Mumbai: In order to tackle the shortage of blood during summer vacations, the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) on Wednesday instructed all the city blood banks and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to conduct a blood donation camp before summer holidays.
Dr Arun Thorat, Assistant director of the SBTC said every time they get complaints about the shortage of blood during summer vacations as donors go out of Mumbai. “We have issued a letter to all government and private blood banks, hospitals and NGOs to organise camps before summer vacation,” he said.
As per the SBTC authorities, every year, blood banks suffer huge shortage during the months of April, May and June. “On an average, around 16 lakh units of blood is collected in the state every year, the minimum average requirement is 11.23 lakh units,” said Thorat.
SBTC official have also asked to conduct a meeting with the donors at the district level. Every blood bank must have an estimate of blood needed and utilised from the blood bank.
Various organisations like religious groups, temple trusts, non-profit institutes can help to set up blood donation camps. Public places and educational institutes can help to get youngsters to donate blood,” Thorat said.
Senior doctor from the King Edward Memorial Hospital said there is always a significant, ongoing need for blood, because there is no substitute for human blood, the generosity of blood donors helps to ensure we maintain an adequate supply for our patients.