Udupi: Unique state-of-the-art mobile blood bank enters district

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi  (SM)

Udupi, Mar 24: The Government of Karnataka had given a mobile blood bank to the Indian Red Cross Society, Bangalore, as an appreciation of the increase in amount of blood donation which now stands at approximately 22,849 units. The mobile blood bank reached Udupi on Saturday March 23 in an attempt to create awareness and interest in donating blood.

The bus was welcomed by DC Dr M T Reju and a pamphlet regarding the same was released on the occasion. The vehicle will roam around the city for a whole day and proceed to Kundapur on Sunday March 24.

Basarur Rajeev Shetty said that by afternoon, hundreds of donors had come forward to register for blood donation. “The bus is a better option than a room or building because it is less space consuming. We can park it near the bus stand, theater, and colleges,” he said.

“The bus consists of all the facilities required to donate blood. It is air conditioned with all amenities like toilet, recorders, 4 TVs, oven, three refrigerators, microphone, and registration facility. At any time, four people can donate blood simultaneously. The bus is very expensive consuming one litre of diesel for four kilometers. So this trip cost the Red Cross Society Rs 60,000. The bus also has on board one medical officer, one staff nurse, two attenders, three technicians, one driver, and one camp co-ordinator,” said Shankar, lab technician
.
The Karnataka Film Chamber provides first show tickets to films which will release on Friday in Bangalore, for 100 members who donate blood through this bus. This is one of the motivating factors for the donors.

Rajeev Shetty said that every district should have one blood bank and blood storage system which is their goal.