Rise for demand in platelets leading to chaotic situation in Delhi

More alarming if the fact according to the doctors at government hospitals, due to dengue scare people are rushing to hospitals to secure platelets as a result of which patients who really need blood transfusions are getting adversely affected.
With dengue scare gripping the city and people rushing to secure platelets needed for the management of the fever, stocks at several blood banks in the city have gone down even as health officials stressed that transfusion is not necessary in all cases.

In view of the situation, health department and civic body officials today urged people not to panic, stating that platelet transfusion plays a limited role in the management of dengue fever and is not necessary in all cases.

"Platelet transfusion plays a limited role in management of dengue fever and thus is not necessary in all cases. People contracting dengue do not need to panic as in initial stages a patient needs fluid management.

"Several patients who are critically ill and need blood transfusions, are affected due to this dengue scare because people are rushing to hospitals to secure platelets," said a doctor.

Some health experts also blamed the doctors who do not have full knowledge of the disease and end up generating a scare among people about the disease.

The Guidelines for Dengue Management of the World Health Organisation has no mention about platelets transfusion.

"Also, drop in platelet count is no confirmation of dengue, as it could be due to other infection. So specific test should be done to confirm if one has contracted dengue," said the official.

The city has till August 29 reported 831 cases with north Delhi recording the highest at 352 and south Delhi 220. East Delhi posted the lowest with 73 cases while 115 cases were reported from areas outside the jurisdiction of the three municipal corporations.