Blood Banks likely to face shortage

Mysore/Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of free vaccination for people in 18 to 44 years category from June 21, has caused a great deal of concern for the blood banks in District as major donation of blood comes from this age group.

However, as per medical experts, people cannot donate blood within one month of taking vaccination against COVID-19. That means, the shortage of blood looks imminent till the vaccine takers complete two doses of vaccine. Already, the blood banks in City are feeling the pinch in the last 15 days owing to beginning of the vaccination drive for the population in age group of 18 to 44 years.

Girish, Director, Jeevadhara Blood Bank told SOM, “There are nine blood banks in the district on which 70 hospitals depend on these blood banks for their requirements. Mysuru City requires around 150 to 200 units of blood daily. Hitherto, each blood bank used to have the stock of 30-40 units of blood on any given day. But after the vaccination began for 18-44 years category population, the availability of blood was almost nil.”

Pointing out that the blood was required in delivery and accident cases, he said that if that age group people go for vaccination, there will be acute shortage of blood in the District. Around 30-40 persons go to various blood banks begging for blood. But it was not available. Earlier, they used to have the adequate stock of A+ve and O+ve blood groups and now even this group blood was not available. Among all nine blood banks, only K.R. Hospital Blood Bank looks comfortable with good stock of blood. The system of exchanging blood among the blood banks has  been stopped.

Keeping this in view, a mega blood donation camp was held today. “ We are keeping our fingers crossed”, Girish said.