Pradeep Vennelakanti Tirupati

A sharp depletion in blood reserves at blood banks, particularly at the blood bank of Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Government General Hospital, has raised serious concern among medical authorities as the hospital continues to handle several emergency cases every day.

Though a decline in blood reserves during the summer and examination season is common, doctors warn that the shortage began unusually early this year and is fast emerging as a grave concern.

Medical officials said the shortage, which generally surfaces during May and June, started as early as March this year, causing anxiety among healthcare professionals.

The soaring summer temperatures are believed to be one of the major reasons, as voluntary blood donors are reluctant to step out and donate blood in the intense heat.

Normally, the demand for blood increases due to a rise in planned surgeries during the summer vacation period.

Officials said nearly 100 additional units of blood are required beyond normal demand during this season. Blood banks that once supplied over 400 units a day are now managing to provide only around 30 to 40 units.

Sources said the Ruia Hospital blood Centre, which usually maintained sufficient reserves except during the COVID-19 pandemic, had witnessed a gradual improvement in recent years.

During the pandemic, reserves had once dipped to nearly 25 units. Subsequently, the situation stabilised and the bank used to receive nearly 400 units every month.

However, over the past few days, reserves have again started declining. At present, around 100 units of blood are available in the blood bank, though the availability of rare blood groups remains critically low.

“The current level is manageable and we can procure around 30 units from private blood banks if necessary. But the real concern is about the coming days, as severe summer conditions and holidays for educational institutions are ahead, making it difficult to mobilise donors. Students usually donate in large numbers, but they are on vacation now,” said Ruia Hospital Blood Centre Medical Officer Dr P Bhargavi.

She said the hospital had recently organised blood donation camps at Srikalahasti and at an engineering college in Tirupati to improve reserves.

More such camps are being planned in the coming days to meet the growing requirement. Under normal circumstances, the blood bank maintains around 300 units, which have to be utilised within 35 days of collection.

She appealed to voluntary donors to come forward and donate blood, stressing that timely donations could save lives during emergencies.

Meanwhile, officials pointed out that blood banks were finding it increasingly difficult to balance the number of units issued against those collected.

Although blood is generally issued only on a replacement basis, attendants of patients often express inability to arrange donors.

On humanitarian grounds, blood is issued to save patients, leading to a widening mismatch between collection and consumption, particularly during the current summer season.