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Blood stocks still low after Idul Fitri
Theresia Sufa and Anisa Basuki , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta, Bogor | Fri, 10/10/2008 10:46 AM | Headlines
Dozens of patients requiring blood transfusions have had to wait longer than usual at the Indonesian Red Cross' (PMI) centers in Bogor and Jakarta, due to a shortage of stocks after the Idul Fitri holidays.
Udja Bachrusanni, a staff member in charge of blood supply at PMI Jakarta, said Thursday the PMI had already prepared for such a shortage during the fasting month, when less blood is donated.
"We didn't have any problems handling blood demand during the fasting month because we had already anticipated it by holding blood drives at shopping centers and other public places," he said.
"But we didn't expect demand would increase after Idul Fitri."
He said the lack of supply could be caused by the high number of regular donors still away on vacation.
PMI Bogor is also experiencing a shortage of blood stocks.
Many patients were forced to recruit relatives and friends to donate blood.
"I need blood type B for my daughter, who suffers from lung disease, but there are no stocks left. So I asked six of my colleagues to donate blood." said Agus, 50.
Rina Damayanti, head of PMI Bogor's blood transfusion unit, said the number of blood stocks had declined since two weeks before Idul Fitri.
"Before Ramadan, we had already collected blood stocks. In fact, we also collected blood from volunteers in Jakarta," she said.
"Before Ramadan, we set a target to collect at least 100 blood bags at every place we visited. But we only managed an average of 30 bags per place. That amount can't meet the demand for blood during Ramadan. Under normal conditions, we can collect up to 2,000 bags."
During Ramadan, PMI Bogor ran blood drives at churches, whose congregation did not fast and were thus more likely to donate.
Each day, PMI Bogor serves at least 30 patients in need of blood, each of whom require a minimum of two to four bags (350 cc). An average of 1,300 to 1,500 blood bags are needed each month, Rina said.
