08 July 2010
Bangalore, India
After repeatedly denying that the city is witnessing dengue and chikungunya cases, the BBMP has finally admitted that Bangalore is indeed seeing an increase in the number.
At least 159 dengue and 55 chikungunya cases have been confirmed as per the National Institute of Virology (NIV) reports. Cases of thrombocytopenia, viral fever and dengue have increased, leading to a demand for platelets. However, there is a huge shortage of platelets in blood banks.
According to Dr Shiv Ram of Manipal Blood Bank, “The bank was holding two to three apheresis sessions per day but now they have to conduct 5–10, because of the rise in demand. “Every monsoon, the demand goes up three folds. There is a need to organize more blood donation camps.”
At Lions Service Blood Bank, most patients are helpless as most of them may need five to 10 units of blood, but the bank is able to supply only four to five units. “If 20 to 25 cases come per day, we are able to support only 15 to 20,” said Deepak Suman, technical supervisor, Lions Service Blood Bank.
At Bangalore Blood Bank, there is usually a demand for 200 units of platelets daily but the bank is able to supply only 100 to 150 units. “From the past two months, we are seeing a shortage because of the rise in dengue cases,” added Dr Dilliram Silpakar of Bangalore Blood Bank.
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