Pune Faces Critical Blood Shortage as Diwali and Election Season Disrupt Donation Drives

Pune, 13th November 2024: Blood donation camps in Pune have significantly reduced due to the Diwali holidays and the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections, causing a severe shortage of blood in the city. Many blood banks are experiencing low stock, forcing the relatives of patients to scramble for donations. Sassoon General Hospital’s blood bank, for instance, has only enough stock to last five days.

Every year, blood donation camps see a drop during the Diwali holidays. With colleges closed, fewer students participate in drives, and as private sector employees take time off, workplace donation camps also decrease. This seasonal decline contributes to the annual post-Diwali blood shortage.

This year, the problem was exacerbated by the code of conduct for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which coincided with Diwali. While political parties typically organize many blood donation drives, these have decreased significantly due to election restrictions.

Pune, a major medical hub for Maharashtra, is home to around 780 hospitals and 35 blood banks. With thousands of patients from across the state seeking treatment, the city requires approximately 1,500 blood bags daily, but only half of that demand is currently being met.

In response, blood banks are appealing to housing societies and regular donors to help meet the shortfall. Small donation camps are being organized in housing societies, and blood banks are urging private companies to resume their donation drives now that Diwali has ended. Experts anticipate the shortage could continue for another two weeks.

Dr. Atul Kulkarni, Director of Jankalyan Blood Centre, explained, “We require 50 to 70 blood bags daily, but currently, we have only 3 to 4 days of stock left. Normally, we maintain 10 to 15 days of stock. Regular donors have responded well to our appeals in recent weeks, and we encourage them to continue donating this Saturday and Sunday.”

Dr. Mangesh Sagale, Head of the Sassoon General Hospital Blood Bank, added, “Sassoon Hospital’s blood bank has a five-day supply left. While demand was lower during the Diwali holidays, it is now rising, and our stock is depleting. We are managing the situation by appealing to regular donors. Blood donation camps scheduled in the coming days should help restore adequate supplies.”