At Dhankuta District Hospital, the absence of a blood bank has forced patients and their families to endure hardships, as they must rely on relatives or donors to arrange blood for treatment.
Particularly in emergencies, patients such as pregnant women, mothers in labor, and accident victims face severe difficulties when blood is required. When blood is needed, patients must depend on the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, local community members, or healthcare workers. Those who arrive at the district hospital in need of blood must search for it themselves, as the hospital does not have a blood bank.
On March 21, a pregnant woman from Pakhri-Bas Municipality–3 was admitted to the district hospital for maternity services. Upon admission, she was found to be low on blood. Healthcare workers requested her relatives to arrange blood. Santosh Subedi, known in the village, posted on social media that B-positive blood was needed at the Dhankuta District Hospital for the pregnant woman. Upon seeing the request, Vidur Khawas, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Dhankuta, arrived at the hospital and donated blood, enabling the pregnant woman to safely deliver her child. This is just a recent example. Patients frequently have to come to the hospital and search for blood in this manner.
Subedi stated that he often helps arrange blood from friends and acquaintances within his network. Particularly during surgical procedures for pregnant women, more blood is required. At such times, acquaintances usually make calls to find donors. Subedi said, “I have repeatedly posted on social media when blood is needed and have helped arrange treatment multiple times.”
Those with connections and access can easily request blood from security personnel. However, those coming from villages face the hardship of searching for blood upon arrival at the hospital. Sandip Rai, Chief of Dhankuta District Hospital, stated that the only option available is to rely on donors for blood. When blood is required, hospital staff must call individuals with the needed blood type to help the patient. “We do not have the necessary instruments and equipment to store blood,” Rai said. Patients must rely on relatives to locate blood when needed.
Healthcare workers noted that most blood donations come from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force. While regular blood donation drives are conducted, the lack of a blood bank in Dhankuta has continued to pose problems. However, Balanand Dahal from the Quick Response Team in Dhankuta stated that by identifying potential donors and preparing them in advance, it has been easier to provide blood when needed. Relatives of patients have blamed the lack of initiative to establish a blood bank at the district hospital for these ongoing problems.
Efforts to establish a blood bank at Dhankuta District Hospital are underway. The blood bank will be managed by the Dhankura District branch of the Nepal Red Cross Society, which has decided to purchase the necessary equipment. Thagendra Prasad Adhikari, convener of the procurement committee for the blood bank, stated that the committe has approved the purchase of equipment worth approximately Rs. 1.65 million for the blood bank’s operation.
Adhikari added that preparations are ongoing to publish notices and procure the required materials. Once the blood bank is established at the district hospital, it is expected to facilitate access to blood for patients in Dhankuta and the surrounding districts.
Chhatra Kumar Shrestha, President of the Nepal Red Cross Society, Dhankuta, said that due to the suffering faced by patients and their families from the absence of a blood bank, budget arrangements have been made to operate the blood bank within this year.