SURKHET: The regional hospital in Surkhet is facing an acute shortage of blood. On an average, the hospital collects 65 pints of blood every month. According to the blood bank, the collection is far from enough as the number of patients is ever increasing. The patients who require blood have no option but to ask relatives and well-wishers to donate. “Gynaecology department and operation theatre need blood all the more,” Prakash Shrestha of the blood bank said. Last year the bank collected 800 pints of blood. “People are reluctant to donate blood. This is the major impediment to blood collection,” Shrestha said. “Even people in urban areas hesitate to donate blood,” he said, suggesting that an awareness campaign could encourage people to donate blood. According to records, Prawash Shakya of Latikoili donated blood for 34 times and Bishwo Shrestha of Birendranagar donated blood for 32 times in the district. Blood is charged Rs 700 per pint here. The Surkhet chapter of Blood Donors’ Association Nepal said campaign to encourage people to donate blood would help overcome the shortage. “As people are unaware of the advantage of blood donation, they fear to donate,” Purna Prasad Paudel, the chairman of the association said.