Blood banks reel under platelet shortage

Bangalore, Jul 8: National Institute of Virology (NIV) reported that at least 159 dengue and 55 chikungunya cases have been confirmed in Bangalore, with the onset of monsoon. The increase in the number of victims of the diseases has created a huge shortage of white blood components, especially platelets in blood banks for the last couple of months.

Dr Shiv Ram of Manipal Blood Bank said that they were holding two to three apheresis sessions per day. But as the cases of thrombocytopenia, viral fever and dengue have increased, they have to conduct five to ten sessions per day due to the rise in demand for the platelets.

A source from Lions Service Blood Bank said that most patients were helpless as most of them require five to 10 units of blood and the bank is able to provide only four to five units. So the blood banks can only deal with 15 to 20 cases out of 20 to 25 cases per day.

A technical supervisor from Lions Service Blood Bank said that Apheresis is not always possible for the patients from lower-income group.

The banks which supply whole blood, including Indian Red Cross and Victoria blood banks said that they were able to meet the demand.

OneIndia News