22nd Mar 2018 10:03:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Blood shortage is a chronic problem in the country and how bad the scenario is in Arunachal, I realised today when an acquaintance in need of emergency surgery had to be put on hold because of the lack of blood in even the state’s premier hospital, TRIHMS. When all seemed bleak, a young volunteer turned up, a member of Arunachal Yuva Shakti and he along with his friends donated the life-saving fluid. This editorial is a salute to the countless silent volunteers of the AYS and others who are helping save precious lives without any hesitation. The great humanitarian service they are rendering cannot be expressed in words.

In recent times, voluntary blood donation in the state has gained momentum. However, much to the dismay the noble gesture is rendered meaningless with blood banks in private and government run hospitals in shambles. There is neither proper infrastructure nor trained manpower to manage blood bank in a scientific way.

It is shocking to note that, Arunachal has only 13 blood banks in various district headquarters and even out of this paltry number— only few are functioning properly. 

Much stress is laid on voluntary blood donation, however, equal if not more focus must be on making blood banks more efficient. Given the present state, blood banks are in no position to handle large units of blood which consequently will lead to spoilage.

If the state hospital, TRIHMS is experiencing such shortage of blood, it hints to bigger problems. This hospital is frequented by hundreds of patients mostly referred from districts arriving after travelling long distances and most of the time in serious condition needing emergency surgeries. The lack of blood in the hospital’s blood bank is a serious issue. With no one to guide and for those having no support system here in the capital, this can lead to tragic consequences.


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List