Kathmandu, May 3:

The Central Blood Transfusion Service (CBTS) and Nepal Blood Donors’ Association (NBDA)are planning to strictly monitor daily blood supply and blood transfusion in major hospitals and nursing homes in light of increasing blood scarcity in the valley.

Mahendra Bilash Joshi, president of the Nepal Blood Donors Association (NBDA), told this daily, “Demand for blood is very high compared to the increasing number of blood donors’ organisations.” Joshi added that the NBDA and the CBTS are planning to monitor daily blood supply in hospitals and check the misuse of blood.

According to reports, some hospitals and nursing homes demand more blood than they actually need. Some hospitals lack blood storage facilities.

“To reduce blood scarcity, we have asked 253 member organisations to collect blood during non-holidays too,” Joshi said. “In coordination with the Computer Association of Nepal, the NBDA has started a website where the needy can log on and find the volunteer willing to donate blood.”

Dr Manita Rajkarnikar, director, CBTS, said, “The CBTS collects blood through mobile blood donation camps.”

“We can’t exactly say how much units of blood hospitals and nursing homes require every day. Sometimes it’s 120 units; at times the demand jumps to around 300 units a day.”

The CBTS is maintaining the stock of 200-220 units of blood, keeping in mind the demand of hospitals and nursing homes. “Sometimes, rare blood groups like B and AB are stocked for emergency situations,” Rajkarnikar said.

“We have not been able to conduct blood donation camps due to protests and bandhs,” Rajkarnikar said.

When there is scarcity, blood is supplied through replacements. “In replacement, the patient party exchanges fresh blood with the CBTS stock. Donors are also contacted for replacements,” Rajkarnikar said.

There are 50,000 blood donors throughout the nation and 30,000 of them are from the Kathmandu valley.