A shortage of blood in Dang has started causing problems for patients. Dilip Nyaupane, in-charge of the blood transfusion center in Ghorahi, said that due to insufficient blood collection at centers in Ghorahi, Lamahi, and Tulsipur, it has become impossible to provide blood to patients without mandatory cross-checking.
“In the festival season, the number of blood donors decreased, while the number of patients increased,” said Nyaupane. “Currently, for patients who need three units of blood, we are able to provide only one unit and require mandatory cross-checking for the remaining two units. The shortage of blood is creating this problem.”
Although Rapti Health Science Academy, with support from Rapti Provincial Hospital, Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City, and Lumbini Province Government, has been providing free blood to patients, the shortage has made it necessary to enforce mandatory cross-checking, Nyaupane added.
Seema Wali, in-charge of the blood transfusion center in Lamahi, stated that demand exceeds supply, causing a blood shortage. Due to this shortage, patients sometimes need to be referred elsewhere or receive blood brought from outside for treatment.
On average, at least 400 units of blood are consumed monthly in Ghorahi, about 200 units in Tulsipur, and around 100 units in Lamahi. However, the centers reported that blood collection has not kept pace with demand. Regular donors are few, and many donations occur only on special occasions like birthdays or wedding anniversaries, so regular supply cannot meet the demand.
All three blood transfusion centers in the district have appealed to the public to donate blood regularly to save patients’ lives.
Jaynarayan Pun