KATHMANDU, Oct 28: The Nepal Red Cross Society has issued a special appeal for blood donations, citing a shortage of blood supplies following the long Dashain holiday.
Blood donation programmes at the Central Blood Transfusion Service were disrupted during the festive break, while demand for blood from patients receiving hospital treatment has continued to rise, the society said.
Dr Prakash Yadav, chief of the Nepal Red Cross Society’s Central Blood Transfusion Service, said stocks of whole blood of all blood groups, packed red blood cells (PRBC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) had been depleted, making it difficult to meet patients’ needs.
Red Cross blood collection at demolition site
Yadav urged voluntary donors who last donated blood at least three months ago, as well as healthy men and women aged 18 and above, to come forward and donate blood.
Nepal Red Cross Society President Dr Bishal Kumar Bhandari also appealed to voluntary donors and organisations to organise blood donation programmes. He said holidays at offices and educational institutions during the festive season had reduced donation drives, making it difficult to maintain an adequate blood supply.
The Nepal Red Cross Society operates blood transfusion services through centres and units at 120 locations across 73 districts.
The society said people who need blood for patients or wish to donate can contact the Central Blood Transfusion Service at 01 5388485 or 01 5388486, or call the Nepal Red Cross Society’s toll free hotline at 1130.
The society has also urged the public to download the NRCS BTS application from the Play Store on their mobile phones to obtain information about blood transfusion services.
