Banke reeling from blood shortage

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Aug. 13: Banke district has started facing a shortage of blood for medical treatment once again.

The district has several quality hospitals – especially in Nepalgunj, the headquarters – making it a centre of attraction for patients from three provinces of Western Nepal.

According to health officials, the shortage of blood was a result of a rise in the number of patients suffering from different illnesses.

“The demand for blood has increased of late as the hospitals, both private and government, have been receiving a growing number of patients,” said Upendra Regmi, chief of Nepalgunj-based Blood Transfusion Centre.

Regmi also said that the locals of Banke were being requested to donate blood through different organisations.

“Many individuals have arrived to donate blood after the news of the blood shortage reached the masses,” added Regmi.

Hospitals in the district informed that patients suffering from seasonal and water-borne diseases had increased. There were also several cases of road accidents needing large amounts of blood.

Health institutions are also organising blood donation campaigns to meet the demand.

Banke district committee of Nepali Congress has also decided to organise a large blood donation campaign on Sunday.

Despite 128 different organisations conducting blood donation campaigns on a regular basis, Banke has been struggling to meet the demand for blood.