Moscow hospitals sound the alarm: due to quarantine measures, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, donated blood supplies could run out in a couple of weeks. At the same time, patients with hemophilia and oncology need blood transfusion constantly..
Doctors of the Center for Pediatric Hematology, oncology and immunology named after Dmitry Rogachev told the correspondent Federal News Agency About, how restrictive measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus affected donation.
Operations not yet canceled
Dozens of countries are now facing a shortage of donated blood, says MD, Head of the Department of Transfusiology, procurement and processing of hematopoietic stem cells NMIC DGOI named after. Dmitry Rogachev Pavel Trakhtman. Many people, which are on self-isolation, now it seems, that the only thing left in the world is the coronavirus, however, there are still many other diseases, that still need to be treated, he reminds. Blood, eg, may be needed for cancer or emergency surgery.
"Unfortunately, as soon as the quarantine is declared in the country, donors stop donating blood. We're already starting to sound the alarm, since we are seeing a tangible decrease in donation - a decline in the order 20%. Until we cancel operations, but already forced to save a lot. If the decline continues, Then it will really be a disaster.”, Trachtman noted..
According to the interlocutor FAN, the blood supply at its center is severely limited, because various blood components have a short shelf life. So, platelets, used to stop bleeding, have a shelf life of only five days.
MD stressed, what if people follow all the recommended precautions (to wash hands, wear masks, avoid contact with other citizens unnecessarily), the chance of getting infected, donating blood, minimal. The doctors, from my side, take a number of additional measures to reduce the risk.
“We have introduced the acceptance of donors by appointment, in general, reduce the time of reception, so that there are no queues and there is no virus inside the medical center. Everything is washed and cleaned, Fortunately, we are professional health workers and we know, how to deal with viruses, - he said.
There have been interruptions in the provision of donations at the Center before, however, they were seasonal, added doctor. The situation with the coronavirus, According to him, has become unprecedented, because it can lead to a complete lack of blood supply. So, if typically 60–70 people a day visit the blood donation clinic, then this week, on average, only 17–20 donors come.
Under treatment at the Center for Pediatric Hematology, oncology and immunology named after Dmitry Rogachev there are children from all over the country, explains FAN doctor of medical sciences, Head of the Department of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation No. 2 Dmitry Balashov. In an institution, According to him, there are now enough medical personnel and medicines, however, with the introduction of a quarantine or a state of emergency, donors may not be available at all..
"We are working, ready to help our little patients. We have a pool of donors, who are on the phone and ready to come to donate blood. However, now, when the situation stretches for an indefinite period, we are close to disaster. If people stop coming, the blood supply will run out very quickly and patients will die.”, the doctor explained.
Now, According to him, blood is mainly donated by medical staff and parents of children, who are in the Center for treatment. according to medical regulations, blood can only be donated once a month, so in two weeks the donor staff will run out.
Cancer doesn't go into quarantine
Charitable Foundation "Give Life", who actively cooperates with the Center for. Dmitry Rogachev, FAN correspondent was told, that the shortage of blood donations has become one of the most tangible consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fund Director Ekaterina Shergova He noted, that many of their charges cannot be treated without transfusions. She confirmed, that there are fewer and fewer donors at stations and blood transfusion departments, as people shift to remote work and generally try to leave their homes less.
"And we, and doctors from our sponsored clinics urge people to donate blood if possible - all additional security measures for donors have already been taken. Cancer doesn't go into quarantine, and the children are still waiting for help. Please do not forget about our wards! Especially to help, no need to go anywhere and do something extra. You can literally subscribe to a monthly donation with just one click, which will be automatically debited from your card", Shergova said.
Unfortunately, With the increase in the number of people infected with coronavirus, the problem will only grow., explained FAN member of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy, pediatric surgeon and oncologist Vladimir Krugly.
“Now the only hope is for relatives, friends and acquaintances, who can donate blood in some emergency cases”, - emphasized Krugly.
Senator explained, that in the event of a negative scenario, if the lockdown continues for six months, the blood service will have serious problems. According to him, some administrative measures to correct the situation will be very difficult.
“Even if we increase payments for blood donation, this is unlikely to play any significant role in attracting additional donors. While there is still time. If the situation with coronavirus goes according to a mild scenario and self-isolation lasts only a month, the, I think, for this period, some blood supplies will be enough", — added by Vladimir Krugly
The State Duma promised to raise the issue of lack of blood in Russian hospitals. Wherein, According to the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection Nikolay Govorin, there are no restrictions on the movement of donors at blood donation stations.
"Of course, people, who rarely donate blood or have never been a donor at all, worried about their health and may refuse such trips. But in such a case, the donor service has a register of donors, who are actively called and invited. In such a case, you can get a certificate and go to donate blood., - noted the interlocutor of FAN.
About, that the Russian Blood Service is experiencing a shortage of donors due to the spread of coronavirus, previously told the head of the blood service organization of the FMBA of Russia Olga Eichler. According to her,, the supply of red blood cells should be enough for more than two weeks, however, due to the self-isolation of citizens, blood service institutions are experiencing a decrease in the number of donors.
On Wednesday, 1 April, registered in Russia 440 new cases of coronavirus infection. Total infected 2777 human, 24 people have died, 190 recovered. Most of the cases are in Moscow.
An outbreak of a new type of coronavirus first occurred in China in December last year.. Since then, the infection has spread throughout the world., causing widespread lockdowns and market crashes. The United States is currently the epicenter of the disease., Italy, Spain, China, Germany and France.
Author: Olga Tsebrovskaya
