Covid-19 SOPs hit thalassemia patients

Ban on collection drives at educational institutions cuts supply for transfusions

RAWALPINDI:

The ban on blood donation drives at the educational institutions due to the coronavirus pandemic has left young thalassemia patients in a dilemma.

The prohibition on blood donation campaigns in educational institutions due to coronavirus Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) has created a dearth of stocks for children suffering from thalassemia disease which requires regular transfusions.

According to Thalassemia Welfare Society (TWS), some 2,400 children registered with the biggest thalassemia centre of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tipu Road under-go blood transfusion every 15 days.

The TWS spokesman Asad bin Azam said that a surge has been recorded in the registration of new patients. However, a halt in donations poses a serious threat to the lives of hundreds of young patients.

Further, Azam told The Express Tribune that the children suffering from the deadly disease were hard hit by the pandemic situation. “The biggest source of blood donation for us is the donations by students at educational institutions, but the health department has stopped the activity as part of Covid-19 SOPs,” he added.

The spokesperson said that the situation had led to an alarming decline in stocks. As an offset, he added, TWS has decided to set up blood donation camps in parks and other public places. Azam called for an immediate lifting of the ban on blood donation drives in educational institutions as it would save the lives of infected children.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2020.