Port Blair, March 31: The Member of Parliament, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands to set up blood banks at District Hospital Mayabunder and Car Nicobar with an adequate number of supporting staff so that in case of any emergency need of blood, patients don't have to wait for several hours for a blood donor.

In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament said that there are no blood banks in both the district hospitals, which is a cause of concern for the residents of these areas.

He highlighted that in case of an urgent need for blood in these two regions, the medical staff and patients' family members have to run from pillar to post to arrange blood for the patient, which is not only troublesome but also time-consuming and risky for the patients.

During emergencies, the doctors and healthcare staff should focus on treatment and not on the arrangement of blood.

The Member of Parliament said that he has received reports that in some cases where rare blood groups are required, patients had to wait for several hours to find a donor of that particular rare blood group.

Hence he requested to set up blood banks at District Hospital Mayabunder and Car Nicobar with an adequate number of supporting staff.

He added that presently, South Andaman has a blood bank at G B Pant Hospital and the availability of a blood bank at District Hospital Mayabunder and Car Nicobar will ensure the availability of blood to needy patients immediately in all the three districts, which will give a boost to the entire healthcare system of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.