Blood donation drive before Diwali essential: State body

In order to combat the shortage of blood during the festive season, the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) has instructed blood banks in the city and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to conduct blood donation camps ahead of Diwali. Dr Arun Thorat, assistant director, SBTC, said, as many donors are out of town during Diwali, they are unavailable. "Every year we face shortage of blood during festivals, so we have instructed all stakeholders, including blood banks, colleges, and corporate companies to hold blood donation camps,” added Dr Thorat.

He further added they had

Every year we face shortage of blood during festivals, so we have instructed all stakeholders, including blood banks, colleges, and corporate companies to hold blood donation camps — DR ARUN THORAT, Assistant Director, SBTC

also requested religious organisations to hold camps. "We have not received any complaint regarding shortage of blood, but to be on the safer side, we have requested everyone to organise a camp,” Dr Thorat said.

Vinay Shetty from Think Foundation, a city-based NGO, said the period from Diwali to the weeks that follow are dreadful for those in need of regular transfusions. “We have written to several corporate entities, requesting them to organise blood donation camps before Diwali holidays. I have also urged people to donate blood in camps in their areas,” he said.

Dr Mamta Manglani, director of the Comprehensive Thalassemia Care, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transfusion Centre in Borivli said, they have to select patients on the basis of urgency during the shortage. “Choosing patients on the basis of urgency is not right. Everyone who needs blood should get it. Donors must come forward, especially during vacations,” Manglani said.