Kathmandu – In a recent effort to alleviate the severe blood shortage in Chitwan, the Bharatpur-based Regional Blood Transfusion Center organized a blood collection program in Manang on May 15. This initiative, supported by the local Shweta Blood Donor Campaign, successfully yielded 55 units of blood.
Despite this, the struggle to maintain adequate blood supplies remains pressing. In the months of March and April alone, 2,000 units of blood were transported to Bharatpur from the provincial blood transfusion center in Pokhara. However, even with continuous requests for assistance, centers like Pokhara are now struggling to meet the demand.
Rameshkant Paudel, head of the Bharatpur center, highlights the ongoing challenges despite these efforts. The center has extended its outreach to several districts, including Makwanpur, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Dhading, Lamjung, Tanahun, Gorkha, and Nawalparasi (Bardghat-Susta East), to collect blood. Yet, these measures are falling short as blood collection rates have declined while the demand continues to rise.
Last financial year, the center managed to collect 27,104 units of blood, a significant drop from the 35,000 units collected in previous years. Donations at the center totaled 5,835 units. This decrease is a worrying trend for the region, which relies on blood supplies for critical healthcare needs.
The Nepal Red Cross Society Chitwan branch, which manages the center, faces daily demands of 100 to 150 units of blood. These demands come from major healthcare facilities such as BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, two medical colleges, Bharatpur Hospital, and several private hospitals. By separating blood elements, the center maximizes the utility of each unit, potentially aiding two patients with one donation.
Branch president Hari Paudel attributes the decline in blood collection to several factors, including the migration of young people, lack of motivation for blood donation, current hot weather conditions, and the prevalence of diseases such as fever and chronic illnesses related to dietary habits.
Additionally, blood donation programs have reported lower collection rates. Dr. Bhojraj Adhikari, former chairman of the Bharatpur Hospital Development Committee, points to stringent testing protocols as a deterrent for potential donors. He advocates for a more relaxed approach, suggesting that patients with manageable conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes should be considered for donation if their conditions are controlled with medication.
Dr. Adhikari proposes incentivizing donations by offering monetary compensation to donors with rare blood types and providing concessions to others. He also recommends integrating blood donation drives into the annual calendars of institutions such as schools and colleges, scheduling them three to four times a year to ensure a steady supply.
As the crisis deepens, the need for innovative solutions and enhanced community engagement becomes increasingly critical to bridge the gap between blood supply and demand in Chitwan
