KARACHI, Oct 4: Blood banks in Karachi urgently need to ensure easy availability of “mega-unit platelet” which is needed to be transfused to the increasing number of patients reaching local hospitals with suspected haemorrhage fever - low blood count and profuse bleeding being its major manifestations.

Dr Kaleem Butt, Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital - Karachi said here on Tuesday that only one blood bank in Karachi “Hussaini Blood Bank” was found to have the required facilities to arrange for mega-unit platelet for 28 patients brought to his institution as suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) since September.

“However, at times when we had at one single point of time, eight to ten patients with the condition they too were found to be experiencing shortage of kits to provide for the extremely essential support needed to be provided immediately to the patients concerned,” he said mentioning that all suspected cases have to be put on asymptomatic treatment.

Elaborating significance of mega-unit platelet, the senior medical professional mentioned that nine packets of small units of blood platelet was equivalent to one mega unit.

Dr Butt said that along with extremely essential platelet transfusion all suspected patients reported with extensive bleeding from oral cavities - nasal bleeding , bleeding from respiratory tract or gastro intestinal tract respectively coupled with constant high fever and rashes on body were also put on latest and strong antibiotics as well as on an anti-viral drug.

The medical superintendent said there was no shortage of drugs and apart from patients all health care professionals attending them were also administered required anti viral drug.

To a question, he said fumigation and spray of all wards, departments and premises of the CHK had been made a weekly affair with due provision for proper cleanliness.—APP