KARACHI, Oct 13: Sindh Health Secretary Prof Naushad Shaikh has appealed to people to donate blood at any registered blood banks to meet any possible shortage in the face of rising number of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) cases.

Talking to APP here on Friday, Prof Shaikh said platelets were the essential requirement needed to be transfused immediately to patients coming with VHF, which might also include dengue hemorrhagic fever, although the diseases were subject to confirmation after necessary investigation.

“Since a sharp decline in platelet count is a major manifestation and there is all possibility that any further decline in it may turn out to be fatal, we ensure that platelets are duly arranged,” he elaborated.

The health secretary maintained that through the situation had not gone out of control, it had necessitated precautionary measures and citizens, particularly youth, should come forward with blood donation enabling the authorities concerned to meet any paucity of blood components.

Urgency is important as different blood components, including platelet, have to be separated and adequately maintained to ensure their availability as and when needed, without any delay. In reply to a question about non-availability of special gadgets to separate platelets from blood and the kits to store them in mega quantum, he said measures were being taken to address the issue.

“At the moment, no difficulty is being faced in arranging for the required volume of platelets,” he clarified.

Prof Shaikh said that patients being taken to various hospitals with high fever, rashes on body and sharp decline in platelets were regarded as suspected dengue cases and were being provided immediate remedies, including transfusion and a symptomatic treatment.In response to another question, he said that the suspected and diagnosed dengue or other VHF patients had all chances of absolute recovery. “They do recover if brought to a hospital before they would lose blood count to an extreme level.”

He further maintained that all arrangements were being made to tackle the situation and that there was a close coordination being maintained between private and public sector hospitals.

“The scenario is being duly monitored by a committee headed by the Additional Health Secretary, Capt (r) Abdul Majid,” he added.—APP