Red Cross to ease blood crisis

KATHMANDU, JUL 28 - In its effort to meet the growing blood demand, Nepal Red Cross Society is planning to analyse the annual blood supply pattern.

The Red Cross on Tuesday organising a press meet on the occasion of National Blood Transfusion Day has decided to make preparation for meeting the blood demand in high seasons, mainly after Dashain to winter season, the time of high surgery rates.

“Blood supply can be met to a large extent if we collect more blood before the high-demand season,” said Dr. Manita Rajkarnikar, Director of Central Blood Transfusion Service under the Red Cross.

“At the same time, we can make the best use of the available blood if the hospitals demand only the required units of blood.”

According to the blood transfusion centre, the average demand of blood daily is around 500 units whereas the average supply is 475 units. The demand-supply keeps varying according to seasons.

In Nepal, blood transfusion service is available in 48 districts through 68 centers.

The Red Cross has extended the service in Salyan, Doti, Udaypur, Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Dhading and Myagdi from this year. It is planning to extend the service in other districts like Bara, Pyuthan, Mustang and Bajura from next year.