Civil hospital, KCGMC grapple with rising demand for platelets

With an increase in the number of dengue cases in the district, demand for platelets has also shot up.

Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC) has two platelets units, of which one is lying non-functional amidst the increase in demand.

According to the official figure, the district has recorded 38 dengue cases so far, but as per sources, the number could be higher as several people are being treated at private institutions.

“We are receiving a demand of around 30 to 40 units of platelets daily. The non-functional machine will be made operational in a day or two,” said Dr Sachin Garg, blood bank in charge, KCGMC.

KCGMC director Dr Jagdish Dureja said the staff of the blood bank had been directed to remain vigilant.

The blood bank at the Civil Hospital is also witnessing a demand of around 20 to 30 units daily, said Dr Sanjay Verma, Regional Blood Transfusion Officer. “We are trying our best to meet the demand,” he added.

Civil Surgeon Dr Yogesh Sharma said they had been conducting door-to-door surveillance check the breeding of larvae. “So far, our teams have detected larvae in 4,971 households,” he said, adding that anti-larvae activities and fogging in various parts of the district were underway. Tribune India