The blood banks in Mumbai are going to be prepared to tackle blood-related health adversity. A federation of 45 Mumbai based blood banks has started a unique campaign called ‘Operation Rediness’.
All the major blood banks of Mumbai have come forward to proactively take necessary steps to avert any blood and blood platelet crisis.
“Rainy season proves deadly for many as the infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, Leptospirosis, Swine flu etc. grips the city. This is the period when the need for blood and especially blood platelets go up. So to avoid the crisis in the availability of blood or platelets the ‘Operation Rediness’ has been launched. It is for the time that such initiative has been undertaken by the Federation,” said Dr Abhijit Bopardikar, Joint Secretary, Federation of Bombay Blood Banks.
Through ‘Operation Rediness’ private donors will be encouraged to donate platelets and blood banks will store it.
Blood platelets have a shelf life of only five days. Hence patients, as well as blood banks, are often seen scampering for these during the emergency.
“A blood donor can’t donate blood for next 3 months from a donation incident. This is not the case of platelets. They can be donated after 15 days from a donation. From our database we will encourage these donors to come forward for the noble cause,” said Dr Abhijit Bopardikar.
The festive season is right around the corner as Dussehra and Diwali are just a few days away. And the State Blood Transfusion Council is anticipating a blood shortage in Mumbai during this period and has directed blood banks in the city to make necessary arrangements, keeping this situation in mind.
“May and October are the two months when we have to be prepared for the shortage of blood. This is a vacation period. We have advised blood banks to be prepared and make necessary arrangements,” said Ravindra Ingole, Vice President, blood donation motivation committee of State Blood Transfusion Council.