No blood shortage in Kathmandu Valley during festivals, but negative groups remain scarce

The Blood Transfusion Service Center run by the Nepal Red Cross Society has said there is no shortage of blood in Kathmandu Valley during Dasain.

However, the center has acknowledged that it would be difficult to immediately supply blood if there were demand for negative blood groups. According to center representative Sanjeev Yadav, there is no shortage of blood for road accident victims, women receiving maternity services, and patients undergoing regular dialysis.

He said blood had been collected in advance through donation camps held at various locations in anticipation of increased demand during the festive season. "As of today, the availability of blood is comfortable for us," Yadav said.

He said that since the center does not collect and store blood of negative groups, meeting such demand would be difficult. Although regular health services may be affected during Dasain, priority has been given to managing the blood needed for emergency treatment.

Coordination has been done with regular blood donors so they can donate immediately if demand rises in an emergency. While there is no shortage at present, the center is continuing its blood donation campaign.