Kollam temple fire: No shortage of blood, thank you youngsters

Thiruvananthapuram: So far, the blood shortage has caused no difficulties for the Paravur tragedy victims at Government Medical College Hospital, and the doctors thank the youth. Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST) Health Officer Dr S Sathyawati says, “A victim was shifted to SCTIMST, and since blood loss was huge, we were in need of B positive blood on Monday morning. Almost immediately around 15 youth turned up, and answered the demand.”

A Malayali who had just come home from West Asia for a vacation, Jaikrishnan Ananthapadmanabhan, is now working full time as a coordinator between blood donors’ groups. “When I heard about the need for blood, I started a group. Through my friends I came into contact with other groups like Blood Donors’ Kerala. Now, I act as a coordinator between various groups,” he says.

He posted for AB negative blood on Monday morning, and within an hour got 27 donors, even though it was a rare blood group. “In addition, 57 more people had called in. We have told them we will contact them when there is a need. We have decided that in case of emergencies at night, we will contact the male donors.”