There was already a crisis during March, and it deepened further when the month of Ramadan began in April, as many people avoid donating blood due to fasting, said operators of top blood transfusion programs. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which red blood cells cannot survive and patients have to get regular transfusions to lead a healthy regular life. Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Monday, Dr Moniruzzaman, coordinator of voluntary blood donation program at Quantum Foundation, said the number of blood donors is decreasing gradually, and the trend may get worse if the crisis continues. Blood camps in universities, corporate offices, or banks are major sources of blood collection, but all educational institutions have been closed since mid-March and offices from the last week of March, which has affected the donation program gravely, he added. To avoid a crisis Dr Hussain has appealed to voluntary blood donors to donate blood if possible.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 18, 2020 02:37 UTC