Pune | September 9, 2026
Pune is facing a reported shortage of blood, with supplies at several private blood banks falling to about half their usual levels over the past two to three days, according to a report by Loksatta. The shortage has emerged ahead of Ganeshotsav as dengue and chikungunya cases rise in the city, increasing demand for blood and platelets.
Ganesh mandals across Pune have begun organising blood donation camps during the week to address the reported shortfall. Organisers and activists involved in the campaign have set a target of collecting between 1,500 and 2,000 units of blood with support from companies in the industrial sector, the report said.
The demand is being linked to several medical requirements, including platelet support for patients with dengue, transfusions for people living with thalassaemia and blood needed during surgeries at hospitals. The report said the shortage is more unusual this year because it has surfaced around the time of Ganeshotsav, rather than during the periods when supplies typically decline.
Blood stocks in Pune are generally reported to fall during summer and around Diwali, when donation camps are also organised across the city. This year, however, the reported decline has coincided with the spread of seasonal illnesses and a rise in the need for platelet-related treatment.
The blood collected through the mandals’ camps is expected to be supplied to Sassoon Hospital, Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital, Jankalyan Blood Bank and other facilities, according to information attributed to mandal sources. The camps are planned at locations across different parts of the city over the course of the week.
The reported collection target and distribution arrangements will determine how quickly participating hospitals and blood banks receive additional supplies as the donation campaign proceeds.
