Maharashtra faces blood shortage, has 7-8 days stock

An acute shortage of blood stock is faced by Maharashtra state due to a three week lockdown in the nation amid coronavirus outbreak.

At present, there is a ban on organising blood donation camps. While there is no blood requirement for Covid-19 patients, other patients including those who undergo dialysis need it.

State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the state’s stock of blood will last seven to eight days and appealed people to come forward to donate at blood banks.

"Though organising camps is not advisable the donors can visit blood banks which are functional. Apart from Covid-19, there are usual illnesses that need to be treated," said Tope.

Director of Medical Education TP Lahane made it clear that donating blood is absolutely safe even if there is Covid-19 pandemic.

"Covid-19 does not spread through blood. But one needs to take care of cleanliness and hygiene while donating blood," he said.

Several Marathi actors also have urged the people to donate blood. Cricketer Kedar Jadhav responded to the appeal by donating blood in his home town Pune.