Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 2: Mumbai is facing an alarming blood shortage, with just over 5,000 units available across city blood banks. The crisis has forced families to run from hospital to hospital or seek donors online, as daily demand stands at 1,000 to 1,400 units.

As of May 30, the city had only 5,325 blood units and 65 single donor platelet (SDP) units barely enough for five to six days according to the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC). The shortage began in late May due to a drop in voluntary donations during the summer holidays and the suspension of college and office donation drives.

Suburban hospitals are worst affected. Kandivali’s BDBA Shatabdi and Bandra’s Bhabha Hospital have run out of stock. Sion has 10 units, Tata Memorial 15, JJ 23, Rajawadi 39, and St George’s 45. Even KEM and Nair Hospitals have fallen below optimal levels, with 159 and 164 units respectively.

The shortage is pushing hospitals to ask patients to arrange donors. At KEM, a family spent over 24 hours searching for O-positive blood. In another case, a man was scammed out of ?2,000 after seeking a donor online.

“It’s illegal to ask for money for blood,” said Dr Purushottam Puri, assistant director, SBTC. “Strict action will be taken if formal complaints are filed.”

The SBTC is organising daily donation camps in housing societies and public offices. “One unit of blood can save three lives. We urge citizens to come forward,” said Dr Puri.

Doctors warn the situation is becoming a public emergency. “Don’t wait for a crisis. Mumbai needs donors now,” said Dr Mohan Joshi, dean of Sion Hospital.