In addition to public requests, the looming scarcity of blood is so serious that the centre has not only prepared a list of donors but also informed many of them that they might get a call when needed.[break]
"We have urged people to enjoy the festivals in full but at the same time manage some time to donate blood." said Dr Manita Rajkarnikar, director of CBTSC.
She also told Republica that the center has altered dozens of donors who plan to stay in the capital during the Dashain holidays. Apart from that the center is also accelerating its ongoing campaign of motivating new blood donors to maintain the supply of fresh blood at a comfortable level, she added.
Alarmed by the low collection in recent days, the bank has been organizing donation programs every day at places where the potential for blood collection is high.
"We have 1,200 pints of blood in stock and our aim is to maintain that level during the holidays," said Dr Rajkarnikar, adding that the center is planning to set up a number of donation camps on the second day of Dashain in the city areas, in addition to several emergency blood donation camps that the centre regularly organizes in the capital.
The blood crunch during long holidays in the past used to be so severe that the centre had to bring blood from outside the Valley, recalled Rajkarnikar and said the center generally faces a short supply of fresh blood, blood components and blood of negative groups during long vacations.
There has been a continued mismatch in demand and supply of blood of certain groups such as AB positive, B positive and all negative categories, despite numerous efforts put in by the center, said the bank, which is responsible for ensuring and managing safe blood supply.
The blood bank has also asked its branch offices and various social organizations to organize more blood collection programs. "We have urged social organizations to organize additional donation programs during the vacation periods to deal with possible crises," she added.
According to the blood bank, 350 pints of blood is required in the capital each day. However, the demand for blood also declines during vacation periods as hospitals conduct fewer surgeries, unless they are urgent.
Related story
World Blood Donor Day 2019: ‘Safe blood for all
