City needs more platelet donors, say govt doctors

As per civic-run government hospital authorities, there is not much awareness among the public about platelet donation.

According to the head of department of transfusion medicine in Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), platelets are a required for the patients with blood cancer. But there are hardly 2,500 platelets donors who have voluntarily registered at TMH for donation, though about 4,500 are registered in its database.

While the shelf life of platelets is five days, the shelf life of blood is 42 days. Six to eight units of blood is required for platelets. Dr Sunil Rajadhyaksha, head of transfusion medicine at TMH, said, "To get platelets, it takes a longer time, and since it is demanded on shorter notice, there are fewer donors. There is a need for 100 per cent voluntary blood donation. Patient can die instantly if they are not provided with platelets, and since the shelf life is shorter, regular platelet donation is necessary."

In Mumbai, over 3.5 lakhs blood units are required every year. June 14 is celebrated as World Blood Donors Day. This year, the theme is, 'What can you do? Give blood, give now, give often.'

Speaking about awareness among the public about blood and platelet donations, Dr Padmaja Keskar, civic executive health officer, said, "People should donate blood because it cannot be manufactured, it can only be donated. After donation, the platelets get recovered due to which donors can donate platelets often."