Public urged to donate blood to address shortage issues

Published On: October 27, 2023 02:32 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

BHAKTAPUR, Oct 27: Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), Bhaktapur chapter, has appealed to the public to donate blood in order to address a nationwide shortage of blood supplies.

At present, blood banks across the country including those in Bhaktapur are facing a shortage of blood as there is a significant demand for blood supplies amidst the soaring cases of dengue fever. The blood collection has remained halted during the Dashain festival, exacerbating the shortage.

Despite this, the NRCS Bhaktapur is making efforts to address the demand for blood for emergency purposes. So, the relatives of patients visiting the district in search of blood are not compelled to return empty-handed.

The scarcity of blood has surfaced nationwide including in the districts in the Valley and neighboring Kavrepalanchowk, it is said.

NRCS Bhaktapur's outgoing president Manoj Kumar Thapa said the NRCS-operated blood bank supplies 30-35 pints of blood every day, but the demand is up to 150 pints.

"A pint of blood can save a life," he said, urging the public to donate blood.