A total of 9,044 pints of blood were collected at major hospitals under the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir from April 2022 to March 2023, official data reveals.
During the same period, a total of 8,717 pints were consumed, according to the details accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Among the major hospitals, District Hospital Handwara came up with the highest collection and consumption rates, with 1,514 pints collected and 1,427 pints consumed.
At SDH Kupwara, 1,413 pints of blood were collected, with a consumption of 1,378. In DH Kulgam, 1,205 pints were collected and 1,185 were consumed, while at DH Pulwama, 1,127 pints were collected, and 1,090 were consumed.
At JLNM Hospital Srinagar, which houses DHSK’s only blood component separation unit, 1,081 pints were collected, and 1,046 were consumed.
Similarly, at DH Budgam, 721 pints of blood were collected and 703 were consumed, and at DH Ganderbal, 660 pints were collected, with a consumption of 633.
At SDH Sopore, 525 pints were collected, and 507 were consumed, while 286 pints were collected at DH Shopian, with a consumption of 279.
The figures for DH Bandipora stood at 232 pints collected and 216 consumed, with 327 pints of blood available at these hospitals by the end of March 2023.
On Thursday, officials from the top-performing blood units were felicitated by Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) at his office.
Speaking to KNO, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather highlighted the importance of blood donation for various medical treatments, surgeries and emergencies.
“Regular blood donations are essential to maintaining an adequate blood supply for hospitals,” he said, adding that in Kashmir, more and more people are coming forward to donate blood.
Dr Mushtaq also said there are health benefits for blood donors, including a reduced risk of certain diseases—(KNO)