The hill state of Himachal Pradesh (HP) may be fairly high on voluntary blood donation at 86 per cent but that hasn’t solved the problems of patients.

While there is large drop-out among voluntary donors, the patients in emergency are often on the receiving end as blood distribution at 17 Blood Banks across the state is not streamlined to suit their needs.

As per data provided by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and published by Association of Voluntary Blood Donors, West Bengal for 2015-16, HP is one of the few states having voluntary blood donation rate above 80 per cent against country’s average of 77 per cent.

The blood units collected through voluntary blood donation in HP in 2015-16 were 38,599.

Arunachal Pradesh is on top with 100 per cent voluntary blood donation, followed by Daman and Diu (98 per cent). Over 70 per cent of people in HP are dependent on government hospitals for health care.

Usually the attendants of patients have to run from pillar to post to get blood in need. If the emergency comes at night, it becomes a difficult task for them to even approach the blood bank staff, as barring few, most Blood Banks are not operational all-day.

Sources said the Blood Banks usually don’t have adequate exclusive staff for day and night functioning.

“The blood availability depends on the local demand. We have provided lab technician for Blood Banks in 14 NACO supported Blood Banks, but the remaining staff is to be provided by the hospitals,” said Dr Rajesh Thakur, State Programme Officer, Blood Safety.

Though the state has online Blood Bank Management Information system to show availability of different blood groups. Not much has been done on ground to link up Blood Banks for the benefit of public.

“The information is not updated and we have to physically check on the availability of particular blood group, which becomes difficult at night,” said some patients, who come to the state or district hospitals from remote corners and are unaware of the system.

People suffering with Thalassaemia have to feel the pinch more, as they have to undergo blood transfusion almost every month and have to look for donors themselves.

There is no system in place for sure periodic availability of blood for them across the state, though many blood donation camps are held in their name.