Uttarakhand to Get New Haematology Lab with Advanced Tech

This initiative is expected to alleviate the severe platelet shortages that often accompany dengue outbreaks, providing critical support to patients and their families.

With the arrival of the rainy season, Uttarakhand's Rudrapur is gearing up to combat the annual surge in dengue and malaria cases. 

A dedicated hematology lab, equipped with a state-of-the-art apheresis machine, will soon be established at the district hospital affiliated with Pandit Ram Sumer Shukla Government Medical College in US Nagar district headquarters, Rudrapur. 

This initiative is expected to alleviate the severe platelet shortages that often accompany dengue outbreaks, providing critical support to patients and their families.

The new lab will feature an apheresis machine valued at approximately INR 40 Lakh, a significant investment aimed at improving patient outcomes. 

This machine is capable of producing 30,000 to 40,000 platelets per unit of blood, a substantial increase compared to conventional machines that yield only 3,000 to 4,000 platelets per unit. 

The enhanced capacity is crucial in addressing the acute platelet needs of dengue patients, whose platelet counts can drop drastically, leading to severe complications.

“The number of dengue patients increases significantly during the rainy season, with many experiencing a rapid decline in platelet count. To tackle this issue, we are establishing the district’s first hematology lab, which will be instrumental in providing timely platelet support,” Dr Kedar Singh Shahi, principal and senior surgeon at the medical college, stated. 

He emphasized that the new facility would play a pivotal role in managing the seasonal spike in dengue cases, ensuring that platelet shortages do not exacerbate the crisis.

The addition of the apheresis machine is seen as a timely intervention, especially given the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare providers during the dengue season. 

Dr KK Agarwal, medical superintendent at the district hospital in Rudrapur, commented on the expected impact: “Once operational, the apheresis machine will greatly benefit dengue patients by ensuring an adequate supply of platelets.” He noted that the machine’s ability to produce a higher yield of platelets from each donation would make a significant difference in patient care, reducing the strain on both the hospital and the families of those affected.