Lack of blood bank and blood transfusion centre in Siraha bazaar, the district headquarters of Siraha, has left health workers at the district hospital struggling with the growing number of patients in need of blood. 

As a result, the hospital has been referring patients to other hospitals during emergency. Patients are compelled to go to Lahan, Janakpur, Biratnagar and even Jainagar in India to receive treatment.  Dr Chumanlal Das, chief of the 50-bed Siraha District Hospital, admitted that they have no options than referring patients to other hospitals due to lack of blood transfusion centre. “Shortage of blood has created difficulties in conducting emergency parturition service,” said Das. 

The hospital data shows 73 patients were referred to other hospitals from emergency unit between mid-July 2017 and mid-January 2018. The hospital emergency unit received a total of 4,121 patients over that period. 

As there is no blood bank in the district headquarters, the blood transfusion centre in Lahan is providing blood to the health facilities in the district. The Lahan blood transfusion centre said that they need 2,800 pints of blood in the district each year. Pradip Yadav, chief of the Lahan blood transfusion centre, said they would need 2,000 pints of blood for the Lahan area alone. “Somehow, we have been managing blood for those in need in Mirchaiya and Karjanha areas. But we are left with only 800 pints of blood now,” he said. 

The District Hospital had provided a plot of land to the district branch of Nepal Red Cross Society 11 years ago to establish a blood bank. Although the Red Cross built a building five years ago, it has yet to establish a functioning blood bank. The District Hospital has not purchased necessary equipment to operate the blood bank, according to employees of the Red Cross. 

Meanwhile, Dr Das said that they have already purchased some equipment to operate blood bank in the District Hospital. “We are also coordinating with municipal office to purchase other necessary equipment,” he said.