Bhatkal journalist submits memorandum to Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao seeking blood bank in town

Mangaluru: 11 October,25 (Bhatkallys News Bureau)  Ismail Zaorez, Senior Sub-Editor at Vartha Bharati and a journalist from Bhatkal, met Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao during his visit to the Vartha Bharati office on October 10 and submitted a detailed memorandum urging the government to establish a blood bank in Bhatkal.

In his memorandum Zaorez highlighted the long-pending demand of the town’s residents for a dedicated blood bank and trauma care centre, pointing out that Bhatkal despite being one of the major towns in Uttara Kannada district — still lacks such basic emergency medical facilities.

He noted that the absence of a local blood bank often results in avoidable tragedies. Recalling a case he had reported in 2018, Zaorez mentioned the death of a young mother during childbirth due to the non-availability of blood in Bhatkal, an incident that had exposed critical gaps in emergency healthcare. “Unfortunately, even after seven years, the situation remains unchanged and such cases occur regularly,” the memorandum stated.

At present, Bhatkal has no government or private blood bank, and the nearest facility is located in Kundapur, nearly 60 kilometres away. In emergencies, patients’ families are forced to travel there to procure blood, a process that can take at least two hours for a round trip, often costing lives during accidents, deliveries, or trauma cases.

The memorandum further pointed out that Bhatkal lacks a trauma care centre, and most critical patients are referred to Kundapur, Udupi, Manipal, or Mangaluru, all of which are two hours away. Zaorez emphasised that considering Bhatkal’s growing population, its strategic location along the busy National Highway, and the high frequency of road accidents, setting up a blood bank and trauma care facility is both urgent and essential.

He requested the Minister to take immediate steps to establish a government blood bank in Bhatkal, stating that it would not only strengthen the region’s healthcare system but also save precious lives that are currently lost due to delays in treatment.

Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao assured that he would look into the matter and take necessary steps to address the demand.