Maldives Blood Services (MBS) has stated there are major difficulties in obtaining the 160 units of blood which are needed every week for thalassemia patients.
Speaking to PSM News, Head of MBS Gulisthan Easa noted obtaining blood has always been a challenge, adding the difficulties have increased following the COVID-19 pandemic. Noting MBS used to manage the difficulties in obtaining blood by conducting blood donation camps, Gulisthan said the inability to conduct blood donation camps due to the pandemic has made it very difficult to restock blood. She said the weekly requirement is now mostly fulfilled by donors brought in by the patients.
Speaking further, Gulisthan said two private companies have recently held camps to donate blood to MBS. She also noted arrangements have been made to conduct further donation camps, which would hopefully ease some of the difficulties faced in obtaining blood.
There are 636 thalassemia patients currently undergoing blood transfusion in the Maldives. 360 patients live in Male’ and seek blood transfusion from MBS.