In Bajura, a hospital relies on police officers' blood to save mothers

A postpartum emergency in far-western Nepal was resolved by two police officers donating blood. It exposes a district that has no functioning blood bank.

At Bajura District Hospital, Ganga Damai survived a postpartum haemorrhage after a caesarean delivery because DSP Shaileshwori Bohara and Police Inspector Gagansingh Bhat donated blood, The Himalayan Times reported on 6 October.

The system behind the story According to the report, more than 90 per cent of transfusions in the district depend on emergency donations from security personnel and health workers. About ten or more patients need transfusions each week. Two freezers supplied by the Nepal Red Cross sit unused, and no blood bank operates in the district. Emergency transfusion is available only at the district hospital, Kolti Hospital and Tante Health Post. Patients are often required to find donors before scheduled procedures.

Responsibility and gaps The hospital chief, Dr Harish Malla, is quoted as saying "Bajura urgently needs a blood bank. There have also been no effective efforts for its establishment." Information officer Nipraj Giri cited low awareness of donation and the absence of a transfusion centre. The report points to funding constraints at the Sudurpashchim provincial government. NepalUK found no response from the province. Sudurpashchim's budget presentation was scheduled for 7 October, according to Nepal News, which is a natural moment for the issue to be raised.

Why overseas Nepalese should care Many diaspora families have roots in remote districts, and community fundraising often targets hospitals and schools. A functioning blood bank requires equipment, trained staff, storage and a donor network, not only money, so any support is best coordinated with local authorities and the Nepal Red Cross.