Rojalin Mishra

Balasore/Berhampur: Blood transfusion facilities have been badly hit owing to the ongoing cease work agitation by blood bank employees across Odisha.

The situation has assumed serious proportions at Balasore district headquarters hospital (DHH) with thalassemic patients who require blood transfusion being at the receiving end due to the strike.

Moreover, the blood unit stock at the blood bank is reducing sharply. Currently, 400 units of blood is available which can hardly meet requirement of patients for 3-4 days only. If the issue is not resolved at the earliest, then the situation might get worse in coming days.

"We have been waiting for hours to get blood for my son who is a Thalassemic patient. Due to shortage of staff, everything it's getting delayed.   Due to the strike we are suffering a lot" said one Aloki Jena.

"We are facing a lot of problem in doing the work as half of the staff is on strike. Currently, we are bringing blood in deputation from other parts. Though bloods are lined up, it would be difficult for us to manage if we do not get adequate staff," said Basant Kumar Upadhyay, district blood bank officer.

Similarly, blood transfusion facilities have also been badly hit at the Berhampur MKCG Medical College and Hospital due to the strike. Meanwhile, director of Berhampur MKCG Medical College and Hospital said that blood donation camps are being organised to  meet blood shortage.

"We had organised blood donation camp recently and collected 58 units of blood. Similarly, camps are also scheduled to be organised in the coming days. We are collecting blood and have also requested people to voluntarily donate blood. There will be no problem in meeting blood requirements for the patients" said director of MKCG Medical College and Hospital Dr. Radhamadhav Tripathy.

It is pertinent to mention here that, hundreds of officials, technicians and other support officials of blood banks under the aegis of the All Odisha Blood Bank Employees’ Association have been staging protests at lower PMG in Bhubaneswar demanding regularisation of their jobs and other benefits since November 26.

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