Twenty-one-year-old Harsha (name changed) was admitted to a private hospital at Bannerghatta Road a week ago with very low blood platelet count and suspected dengue. He had to wait for two days before he could get the blood transfusion he needed. The government claims to have achieved 100 per cent voluntary blood donation, but only about 50-55 per cent of blood donation is happening voluntarily.
Voluntary blood donation is not increasing to the extent required and getting a particular blood group in time of need is always a problem. Says Dr Lata Jagannath, medical director and managing trustee, Rotary TTK Blood Bank, “Though there is a centralised blood policy for blood collection centres in the State as well as at the Centre, its proper implementation is a major problem for blood banks. This is why voluntary blood donation is not happening at smaller blood banks.” Dr D. Rajashekarappa, chief medical officer, Karnataka Red Cross Blood Bank admits more awareness is required about donating blood.
“As of now, many IT companies and colleges are conducting camps and donating blood voluntarily. But more awareness about voluntary blood donation needs to be created among the general public so that we can achieve blood sufficiency in the State for supplying as and when required,” he said. He said in the past two years about 30,000 units of blood have been collected at 350 blood donation camps. “Hospitals need to tie up with blood banks and more public sectors should also come forward,” he adds.