Mumbai is currently grappling with a severe blood shortage, as blood banks across the city hold barely 5,000 units. This critical situation has forced patients’ families to rush from one hospital to another or post desperate pleas online. In response, the state health department is conducting urgent blood donation camps to restore stock levels. However, some distressed families are falling victim to scammers posing as donors.
Summer Break and Drop in Drives Behind the Crisis
As reported by Hindustan Times, the blood shortage began in the last week of May, primarily due to a seasonal dip in voluntary donations. With many regular donors on vacation and colleges and offices halting blood drives, donations plummeted. According to the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC), Mumbai requires between 1,000 and 1,400 blood units daily. Yet, as of May 30, the city had just 5,325 units and 65 single donor platelets (SDPs), enough for only five to six days.
Hospitals Operate on Critically Low Supplies
The impact is widespread. Key hospitals like BDBA Shatabdi in Kandivali and Bhabha in Bandra have completely run out of blood. Others are running dangerously low—Sion Hospital has just 10 units, Tata Memorial has 15, JJ Hospital 23, Rajawadi 39, and St. George’s 45. Even major facilities like KEM and Nair Hospitals are operating under optimal levels, with only 159 and 164 units in stock, respectively. Suburban hospitals are the worst affected, sharing just 21 units in total.
Patients’ Families Left in Crisis
Hospitals have begun asking patients to bring their own donors. At KEM Hospital, the family of a 59-year-old man suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding struggled for over 24 hours before securing a donor. “The hospital told us there was no O-positive blood. We posted requests on WhatsApp and contacted friends until someone from a corporate camp stepped in,” said his daughter.
In another case, Ajay Mukherjee, whose father needed urgent O-positive blood for heart surgery, posted a request on social media. A scammer posing as a donor from a nonprofit asked for ₹2,000 for travel. “We transferred the money in desperation, but never heard from him again,” said Mukherjee.
Authorities Warn Against Scammers and Appeal for Help
Dr. Purushottam Puri, Assistant Director at SBTC, acknowledged the surge in social media appeals and warned of the increasing threat of scams. “No one is allowed to charge money for blood. It is illegal, and punishable under SBTC rules,” he said, adding that no official complaints had been filed yet. He assured strict action if formal complaints are made.
To mitigate the crisis, SBTC has launched multiple blood donation camps across the city. “We held a drive at Mantralaya and plan several more. We urge societies, colleges, and workplaces to organize blood drives immediately,” said Dr. Puri.
Call for Immediate Public Support
Doctors are also sounding the alarm. “This is no longer just a hospital issue—it’s a public emergency,” said Dr. Mohan Joshi, Dean of Sion Hospital. “Don’t wait for a crisis to hit your family. Mumbai urgently needs blood donors now.”
Dr. Puri echoed this sentiment, emphasizing, “One unit of blood can save up to three lives. We need collective action to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.”