KATHMANDU: The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) has urgently appealed to the public to donate blood after stocks of blood and blood components at its Central Blood Transfusion Service were depleted.
The shortage comes amid a decline in blood donation programmes during the Dashain holidays, even as demand for blood to treat patients in hospitals continues to rise.
Dr Prakash Yadav, chief of the Central Blood Transfusion Service operated by the NRCS, said stocks of whole blood, packed red blood cells (PRBCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) across all blood groups had been exhausted, making it difficult to meet patients’ needs.
He urged healthy men and women aged 18 and above to donate blood, particularly voluntary donors who have completed at least three months since their previous donation.
Similarly, NRCS President Dr Bishal Kumar Bhandari appealed to voluntary donors and organisations to organise blood donation programmes. He attributed the decline in blood collection during the holidays partly to reduced donation activities at offices and educational institutions.
According to NRCS General Secretary Rishi Khanal, the Society operates blood transfusion service centres and units at 120 locations across 73 districts.
People seeking blood for patients or wishing to donate can contact the Central Blood Transfusion Service at 01-5388485 or 01-5388486. They can also call the NRCS toll-free number, 1130.
The Society has further urged the public to download the NRCS BTS Mobile App from the Google Play Store to access information about blood transfusion services.
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