Pune Faces Acute Blood Shortage Amid Scorching Heat, College Vacations

Pune City is facing a considerable shortage of supplies at some of its blood banks, especially government facilities, leaving doctors and patients struggling. Experts blame the hot weather for the shortage of blood across the city, as extreme conditions have led to a sharp decline in walk-in voluntary blood donations. The number of students coming forward for donations has also reduced because most colleges are closed for vacation, leading to a scarcity of blood donors.

Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Ram Bhangad, President of Raktache Nate Trust, said, “Blood donation shortage is not new during summers. I have been working for this cause for the past 13 years and currently, there is a shortage of blood in Pune. The major reason is that the blood is transported to other regions outside Maharashtra. I urge the government to stop the blood transfer and set up a strict regulatory body to manage the shortage. I also feel socially responsible teams and more Pune chapters for blood donation should be initiated to create greater awareness. This month, we have collected 15,550 blood bags through camps, and priority should be given to government hospitals—not private ones—as they collect blood from us and then sell it to patients.”

Krishnan Gaikwad, Medical Social Service Superintendent at YCM Hospital Blood Center, Pimpri, also confirmed the shortage, saying, “We have blood left for only 10 days, especially during summers. In May, we face a shortage every year. Colleges are closed and people travel for vacations, so we receive very few blood donations.”

There are 37 blood bank centres in Pune, and at least 45,000–50,000 units of blood and blood components are required monthly.

“Usually, during the summer months, there is a shortage as people travel during holidays and colleges are shut. At Sassoon General Hospital, there is no such shortage as they have a list of voluntary donors whom they reach out to,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.

news