Demand for blood products shoot up

KOCHI: As World Blood Donation Day falls on Tuesday, doctors say that the requirement for blood products like plasma and platelets is shooting up now rather than blood itself, with the number of cancer patients, liver diseases and dengue fever cases fast increasing.

Thiruvananthapuram tops the list in the state with requirements over 350 units per day while Kochi requires up to 300 blood units a day. The demand in Thiruvananthapuram is because of the presence of Regional Cancer Centre and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology where critical patients are treated.

“However, only 50 to 60 percent of the overall demand for blood is being met in the state because of which many patients suffer. Hence more people should come forward to donate blood,” said Dr Arun Oommen, Consultant Neurosurgeon, VPS Lakeshore Global Lifecare here, who is a regular blood donor and has donated 35 times since the age of 19.

“I have seen the plight of so many patients and bystanders frantically trying to get blood to save their dear ones” Dr Arun Oommen said. A prominent organization of blood donors, Blood Donors Kerala (BDK), is also experiencing the shortage and has fanned out through Facebook and WhatsApp groups to elicit more blood donors.

It has also conducted over 60 camps based at various shopping malls, colleges and village centres after conducting awareness classes. “The Ernakulam unit is conducting blood donation camp especially for leukemia patients, on the occasion of the World Blood Donation Day from Sunday to Tuesday at four different places. These are AIMS, Lourdes Hospital, Aluva Government Hospital and IMA Blood Bank,” says Jishnu Raj, a member of the group.

“Many people do not know that blood donation yields benefits. First of all you get the satisfaction of saving a life. Regular donation (2-3 times a year) lowers cholesterol and lipid levels, decreases incidence of heart attacks, strokes, protects against some cancers and help in weight reduction. The donor is also eligible to receive one free unit of blood if needed for self, spouse, child, parents and even friends. There are people who have donated even 100 times and are leading a very healthy and active life,” says Dr Arun Oommen.