No shortages at blood bank

Wednesday, 25 March 2020 15:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

National Blood Transfusion Service Director Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe today assured there is no shortage of blood at the national blood bank.

Dr. Edirisinghe told Daily FT that there were adequate stocks of blood and will be distributed to necessary hospitals. He added there was no need for immediate blood donation despite curfew reducing routine blood donation camps.

“At the moment we have adequate stocks of blood. Therefore, there is no need to be panic and we have taken measures to provide blood for hospitals on request as usual,” he said.

He noted demand for blood transfusions have reduced due to cancellation of pre-planned operations, therefore existing stocks will be sufficient for the next several days.

“If the curfew continues, we have coordinated with the armed forces to donate blood if needed. Therefore, the public should not panic,” he said.