THE IMPORTANCE OF DONATING BLOOD DURING THIS COVID PANDEMIC

June 11, 2020

One of the biggest fall-outs in the fight against Covid-19 has been in the area of voluntary blood donation. Blood Donation Camps are few and far between, and there are few people walking into blood banks to donate blood today. We are told, through various arms of the media, to practice social distancing, hygiene, and various safety measures. We are also told to not do anything that is avoidable. But, can we consider the act of saving lives as “avoidable”?

The extraordinary precautions that are being taken in the context of Covid-19 have resulted in a seriously precarious position for blood banks. This is putting at risk the lives of a large number of patients with various other medical conditions. The numbers are staggering – 900 in Mumbai, 4500 in Maharashtra, and 36000 in the country. These are figures of patients in need of blood transfusions every day.

The novel Corona virus may end up killing more lives by creating shortage of blood than by infecting people.

In the present circumstances, blood donation camps in colleges, corporate offices, religious institutions, and public places are not possible. Residential societies can come to the rescue of blood banks, and, through them, of patients who need blood transfusions. It is surely possible for residential complexes to organize blood donation camps within their premises.

The venue could be any covered area within the complex like a clubhouse or a gymkhana or a community hall or the office premises. The area can be sanitized very easily to the satisfaction of the society members. If such a space is not available, an air-conditioned Blood Collection Van can be brought to the society premises for conducting the camp. The donors can then be called for blood donation after giving time-slots.

This will prevent crowding and will ensure quicker completion of the process of individual blood donation. In other words, the donor will come in contact with very few people, and will be out of his/her residence for a very short period.

This message needs to be passed on to Associations of Cooperative Societies or any other institution which is able to reach out to residential societies/buildings. This is the need of the hour.

To view files on:
a. Modalities of a blood donation camp in residential societies click here
b. Letter to be sent to Chairman/ Secretary of a residential society click here

This information has been provided by

Mr. Vinay Shetty

Vice President

Think Foundation

Tags: Health & Covid

All our articles are periodically updated.