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People in Palpa are struggling due to the lack of a blood bank in Palpa. The district has two major private hospitals, Palpa Hospital United Mission Hospital, and Lumbini Medical College. The absence of a blood bank forces patients and their families to seek blood from multiple sources for surgeries and other medical needs.

Bhagwan Bhandari, Chairperson of the Blood Donor Association, Palpa, stated that many patients and their relatives struggle to find blood. He explained that while hospitals often require blood during operations, finding it remains a significant challenge. He mentioned that up to five people contact him daily for blood. He has been coordinating with blood donors, including the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police, to facilitate the provision of blood. He also stated that the patients are more concerned about how to find blood than about their recovery.

Blood donor Kamal Gyawali reported that people are unwilling to donate blood. He noted that the trend of young people leaving for opportunities abroad has worsened the issue, as children and senior citizens are at risk of donating. Additionally, the lack of blood banks in the district makes it challenging to store blood collected through donation programs. If this blood is not used within 30 to 35 days, it must be discarded.

Although the district-based Red Cross Society has prepared to operate a blood bank, it lacks the necessary budget. Baburam Karki, Chairperson of the Red Cross Society Palpa, said a budget proposal has been prepared for building construction, equipment purchases, and operational support. The Red Cross has initiated a financial collection campaign. Donors contributing Rs 25,000 will be given special membership, while those contributing more than Rs 100,000 will receive illustrious membership.

Karki said that a proposed budget has been prepared, including Rs 50,00,000 for land purchase, Rs 1,50,00,000 for the building, Rs 79,00,000 for equipment, and Rs 3,00,00,000 for a reserved fund to operate the blood bank.

He mentioned that under the federal budget of the Nepal government, Rs 1,53,00,000 has been allocated from the Ministry of Urban Development and Rs 50,000 from the Ministry of Health. However, they haven’t received any official confirmation yet.

 

Yagyamurti Timalsina