Padang runs out of blood

Padang runs out of blood

PADANG, West Sumatra: During the holy fasting month of Ramadhan the local office of the Red Cross faces a shortage of blood as the number of donors dwindles, Antara reported.

Spokesman Tawanto said the office gives out 75 bags of blood every day, but during the fasting month, which is in its 14th day today, only 18 people have donated their blood so far.

West Sumatra Red Cross office chief Dr. Widyarman said the province needs around 25,000 bags of blood annually, but usually gets only 13,000 from donors.

Tawanto said the office had tried to accumulate stocks of blood before Ramadhan, by inviting individual donors as well as groups to give blood. But because demand did not cease, only 400 bags of blood were in storage two weeks ago.

"We compel the relatives of a patient who uses our stock to give blood, but we still can't replace all our stocks," he said.

He called on the public to donate blood in the evening, after the break of their fast. (swe)