MKCG runs blood donation drive to tackle shortage

Berhampur: Facing an acute shortage of blood units, state-run MKCG Medical College on Monday launched a four-day voluntary donation drive involving staff and students. Dean-cum-principal Hari Krishna Dalai inaugurated it by making the first donation.Doctors, nursing officers, pharmacists, students and other employees are expected to contribute to replenish stocks and help meet patients’ needs.“Following a request from Odisha Medical Teachers’ Association and considering the shortage, we decided to organise a blood donation drive involving staff and students for the first time,” Dalai said, expressing hope for maximum participation.Against the usual daily stock of 300–500 units, the blood bank had only 128 units on Monday morning, including just two units each of O, A, B and AB negative groups. The shortage has persisted for the past two months, sources said.The blood bank supports patients undergoing treatment for road accidents, deliveries and surgeries. It also provides free blood to patients suffering from sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia and haemophilia. “Over 600 such patients avail free blood every month, while 130–150 units are issued daily,” said Sabita Palai, head of the transfusion medicine department.Superintendent Sudeepa Dash said patients are not suffering despite the shortage, as the hospital is arranging blood on an exchange basis and organising indoor donation camps daily to manage the situation.OMTA branch secretary Jagdeep Nayak said blood scarcity worsens during summer due to fewer camps and reduced donor turnout amid heatwaves. “This is the first time we are involving all staff and students in such a drive in the college’s history,” he added.