the goan I network
MARGAO
Even as Hospicio doctors, nurses and paramedics are all closely involved in the Covid-19 battle, the government-run hospital is being plagued by acute shortage of blood in the blood bank.
The Hospicio blood bank is at “zero balance” for the moment, with the lockdown keeping people indoors. Barring B+ blood group, the bank is facing a zero balance as of now, with the in-charge of the Hospicio blood bank Dr Revan Rego making a fervent plea to the donors to come forward and donate blood.
“All our regular blood donation camps stand cancelled due to the lockdown, resulting in acute blood shortage. I appeal to all the eligible donors to come forward and donate their blood,” he urged.
Dr Rego pointed out that the blood bank has done its best to maintain the stock of blood with the help of the Good Samaritans. “The lockdown has kept the people indoors, but we are making available the transit passes to facilitate people to come to the blood bank and donate blood”, he said.
South Goa plays host to around 35-40 hospitals and most of the blood requirement used to be met by the Hospicio blood bank. Take note, the blood bank do receive blood from donors every day, but the same is taken by the hospitals or by the government hospitals, he said. “We receive blood every day, but it goes out soon because of the demand, leaving the blood bank with zero balance”, he said, even as Dr Rego has made a fervent plea to the people to either donate blood at Hospicio or at the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim.
To a question, Dr Rego pointed out the full-proof arrangements for blood donation are in place at the Hospicio blood bank.
“People need not fear about donating blood in view of the pandemic. We could not resume blood donation camps because of the lockdown and in view of the social distancing and other norms enforced by the authorities”, he added.
