nThe Jharsuguda Blood Bank is facing shortage of blood so much so that no patient has been given blood since Wednesday.
The situation has worsened during the Covid lockdown. A very few donors are coming to donate blood due to restrictions on people’s movement and the fear of contracting Covid-19. The experts said if the situation continues for a few more weeks, then serious patients like thalassemia and pregnant women would face much difficulties.
On Friday, Red Cross Society officials and some volunteers led by District Bar Association president Tapas Ray Choudhury submitted a memorandum to district Collector Saroj Kumar Samal seeking his early intervention in collection of blood.
They proposed that persons in the quarantine centres who test Covid-negative should be encouraged to donate blood. This move would be of great help in solving the blood shortage, they said.
Senior Citizens’ Forum president Arjun More said that earlier they used to get blood on time due to mass blood donation camps but such camps are not being held due to lockdown.
District Blood Bank officer Dr S Jojo said lockdown curbs have hit voluntary donations, resulting in blood shortage. He further said some volunteers are trying to arrange blood donations camps. When asked, Health Minister Naba Kishore Das said he has directed the competent authorities to make blood available for those needing it urgently.