Pune City Faces Acute Blood Shortage Amid Ban On Inter-State Transfers

Pune city is grappling with an acute shortage of blood, creating a challenging situation for hospitals and patients in need of urgent transfusions. The shortage has been exacerbated by the State Blood Transfusion Council’s (SBTC) decision to ban inter-state bulk transfer of blood and its components till January 31, 2025.

According to officials, the city’s blood banks are facing a severe shortage of specific blood type units, such as AB-positive and B-positive. The current stock of blood in the city’s blood banks will last only for the next two to three days.

Dr. Nisha Teli, Blood Transfusion Officer at Metro Blood Bank, Aundh, shared, “We are facing a shortage of blood of all blood groups. We have only 26 blood bags in stock, which will last only for two to three days. We urge people to come forward and donate blood to help us meet the demand.”

The shortage of blood in Pune city is attributed to the decline in blood donation camps since Diwali. Ram Bangad, founder of the NGO, Raktache Nate, said while discussing matter with media, “Since Diwali, there has been a shortage of blood and a decline in blood donation camps. We are hoping the situation will improve soon.”

The SBTC has banned inter-state bulk transfer of blood and its components till January 31, 2025, or till the situation across Maharashtra improves, whichever is earlier. However, bulk transfer of blood and its components within the state will continue.

Dr. Swapnil Lale, Director, SBTC, has appealed to all blood banks in the state to organize voluntary blood donation camps to meet the shortage of blood. “We urge people to come forward and donate blood to help us meet the demand,” he said while talking to the media person.

The shortage of blood in Pune city has highlighted the need for increased awareness and encouragement of blood donation. Hospitals and blood banks are urging people to come forward and donate blood to help save lives.

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