Baleswar will have a blood separation unit in the headquarters hospital blood bank. Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak during his visit to the town assured to provide Rs 1.5 crore for procuring the equipment for the unit.
Baleswar MP RK Jena said, “There has been a longstanding demand for establishment of a blood separation unit in Baleswar. The establishment would be a boon for the district.”
“We are of the opinion that Baleswar should have a blood separation unit at the earliest. We have raised the issue in various forums,” informed Jannat Hossain, a functionary of Baleswar blood donors’ association.
The district while could muster about 10,000- 12,000 units of blood through camps and organizations, yet there has been a shortfall of about 2,000 units. In the State, blood separation units are available in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur.
Blood bank officer Dr Basant Kumar Upadhay said, “A room in the hospital is ready to accommodate machinery. There is a requirement of trained technicians and staff to run the establishment effectively.”