Bleeding Mumbai needs more blood donors

The blood and components of the blood which is said to be an essential element of the human body can be used for giving a new lease of life to someone by donating few liters of blood or blood platelets.

According to the health experts, medical science has advanced to a level where artificial limbs can be prepared from the body parts but still, blood cannot be prepared or produce for which donating blood is compulsory.

Platelets are small fragments of bone marrow cells which are highly needed by the patients suffering from diseases like cancer and dengue.

“It is one of the important components of blood which can be extracted directly from the body and can also be separated from the whole blood,” said a senior doctor.

Dr Sunil Rajadhyaksha, professor and head of blood transfusion medicine, TMH, said the hospital needs at least 10,000 donors.

He said, “We need 4,000plus units of platelets annually, of which 2,500 units are donated by self-motivated donors. To meet the rest of its requirement, the hospital reaches out to donors listed in its database. But they may not always be available.”

He added that for nearly 5 per cent of patients, the hospital needs donors immediately. “However, only two donors may turn up after making 10 calls. Platelets have a shelf life of five days. Given the need at TMH, we need donors regularly so that platelets are available round-the-clock,” Rajadhyaksha said.

The requirements for platelets has increased due to lack of awareness amongst the citizens regarding platelets donation due to which the patients have to face problem who needs it for treatment.

“People are not aware that they can donate components of blood separately. Moreover, there is a misconception that the blood which they are donating are getting wasted, so fewer people come forward for donating blood and its components,” said health officers.

According to the doctors, more than 40 thousand platelet units are required every year and only few voluntary donors come forward for the donation.

“We required more than 50 thousand platelet units every year which used for the treatment of the cancer patients as there is a lot of blood loss in the cancer patients during treatment,” said Dr. Rajyadaksh.

Doctors say that for nearly 5 per cent of patients, the hospital needs donors immediately. However, only two donors may turn up after making 10 calls