Provincial blood bank comes into operation in Nepalgunj

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, July 30: On the occasion of the 60th Blood Transfusion Service Day, the Provincial Blood Bank has officially commenced operations from a state-of-the-art building located on the premises of Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj, Banke, on Tuesday. 

The building was built at Rs. 29.5 million after the then Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Mohammad Istiyak Rai, laid the foundation stone on September 15, 2022. 

Following three years of construction, the Road Division Office, Banke, formally handed over the completed facility to the Nepal Red Cross Society, Banke, on Monday. The Provincial Blood Bank has now begun operating from the new building.

Min Bahadur Malla, Central General Secretary of the Nepal Red Cross Society, expressed confidence that the new, spacious facility will significantly enhance the timely availability of blood to the people of Lumbini Province and western Nepal. He highlighted its importance in saving lives and noted that pregnant women, in particular, will benefit from the improved blood supply.

Chairman of the Bheri Hospital Development Committee, Birendra Bahadur Shah, stated that the establishment of such a modern facility within the hospital grounds is a matter of pride for the residents of Banke district. He stressed that the country’s prosperity can be achieved only through the coordinated efforts of federal, provincial, and local governments, and urged all stakeholders to focus on making essential services more accessible.

Aziz Ahmed Siddiqui, Minister of the Nepal Red Cross Society, Banke, credited former Minister Rai for allocating the necessary budget, saying that his initiative has given new life to the citizens of western Nepal.

Govardhan Singh Samjhayana, President of the Red Cross Society Banke, remarked that the society had aspired to construct a dedicated blood bank building since 1976, and that dream has finally been realised.

Upendra Regmi, Senior Technician at the Lumbini Provincial Blood Bank, reported that the centre receives daily requests for more than 100 units of blood, with supply levels matching the demand.

Rajkumar Barma, Chairman of the Blood Transfusion Service Committee, said that having their facility will make the service more efficient, organised, and of higher quality.