Pune is grappling with an alarming shortage of blood as the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) enforces a ban on inter-state bulk blood transfers until January 2025. Hospitals across the city are running dangerously low on critical blood types, including AB-positive and B-positive, with current stocks expected to last merely two to three days. The aftermath of Diwali and recent assembly elections has seen a steep decline in blood donation camps, further straining supply chains. Officials and NGOs are now urging citizens to step forward and donate to avert potential medical crises.
A transfusion officer at Metro Blood Bank in Aundh, highlighted the urgency, revealing that their facility has only 26 blood bags remaining. “We are facing a shortage of all blood groups and have started asking for in-house donations to maintain balance. Immediate public participation in donation drives is essential to meet the demand,” she said. The scarcity is affecting prominent institutions such as Sassoon Hospital and Sahyadri Hospital, which require blood for surgeries, trauma care, and thalassemia patients.
The SBTC’s directive restricts inter-state transfers but encourages intra-state movement and calls for intensified efforts to organise donation camps. Social and religious organisations, along with housing societies, are being mobilised to replenish reserves. According to, founder of the NGO Raktache Nate, the absence of youth participation, particularly during the festive season and elections, has been a significant contributing factor to the crisis.
From a sustainability standpoint, the need for structured policies to ensure a consistent blood supply is critical. Enhanced awareness, periodic donation camps, and robust supply chain mechanisms can mitigate such emergencies. Addressing civic challenges such as community engagement and proactive measures in urban areas is paramount to building resilience in healthcare systems and ensuring equity in life-saving resources.
