Blood Crisis in Pune: Daily Requirement 1,500 Units, Supply Falls to 800

Pune, 4th May 2026: The city is witnessing a significant drop in blood donations over the past few days, leading to a growing shortage in hospitals. With schools and colleges closed for summer vacations and many regular donors travelling out of the city, the number of blood donation camps has also declined sharply.

Every year, blood collection dips during March, April and May due to examinations and holidays. This year is no exception, but the situation appears more severe. So far, only two to three major donation camps have been held in the city, far below the requirement.

Pune requires around 1,500 units of blood daily. However, only about 700 to 800 units are currently available. As a result, patients’ relatives are struggling to arrange blood from blood banks.

The shortage is expected to worsen in May due to peak summer conditions and fewer camps. Patients with serious illnesses, especially those requiring single donor platelets, are facing the greatest difficulty.

According to the State Blood Transfusion Council, Maharashtra has 373 blood banks, of which 42 are in Pune, including both government and private facilities. Ram Bangad, founder of a voluntary organisation, appealed to donors to donate blood only at authorised blood banks or camps linked to government hospitals.

Anand Chafekar, head of the blood bank at KEM Hospital, said that summer vacations, fewer donation camps and ongoing medical needs such as surgeries, cancer treatment and thalassemia care contribute to the shortage. He also pointed out that blood donation typically peaks during national events like January 26 and August 15 but fluctuates during other periods, leading to supply gaps.

Data from last year shows that 2,127 donation camps were held in Pune district, collecting 2.58 lakh units of blood, while the annual requirement is around 3.5 lakh units.

At Aundh Government Hospital, Blood Transfusion Officer Dr Nisha Teli said that a recent donation drive by the Nirankari Mission collected 109 units. The hospital currently has 139 units in stock, which are expected to last only about 15 days.

With upcoming camps likely to collect just 30 to 40 units each, officials have warned that the shortage could become more severe in the coming weeks.