Dhanbad: A thalassaemia patient in Dhanbad has been unable to arrange A-positive blood for the past 10 days despite requiring regular transfusions. The case has raised questions about the availability of blood and claims of free and timely transfusion services.Jitendra Saw, 34, a resident of the New Delhi locality in Dhansar, said he had been searching for blood for his latest transfusion, which was due about 10 days ago. He earns a living by driving a toto and was diagnosed with thalassaemia when he was seven.Saw said he made several visits to Shri Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH), but was told that blood was unavailable. He subsequently approached several private hospitals, but could not obtain blood. He was admitted to SNMMCH again on Wednesday, but was yet to receive a transfusion.“Instead of concentrating on my work and supporting my family, I have been forced to spend time searching for blood for my treatment,” he said.Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder that may require patients to undergo regular blood transfusions.Civil surgeon Dr Sanjeev Kumar Prasad said he was unaware of Saw’s situation. He said thalassaemia patients could obtain blood free of cost and without replacement at the SNMMCH blood bank. Other patients, he said, were required to arrange replacement donors.Prasad assured that he would inquire into the matter if Saw had been denied blood.Attempts were also made to contact Dr D K Gindouria, superintendent of SNMMCH, for his response, but he could not be reached.
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