Online platform bridging gap between patients, blood donors

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) Amid a rise in dengue cases inDelhi and some other parts of the country, an internet-basedplatform is helping save human lives by bridging the gapbetween donors and patients who need blood or platelets. Dengue patients suffer loss of blood platelets and many atimes it proves fatal. The online platform developed by a Noida-based firm isseeking to bridge this gap by creating a local pool of donors,so that in case of blood requirement, help can arrive quickly. "The platform, available both on mobile phone and theinternet, has a pool of pre-registered donors. Patientslooking for donors just have to mention their name, addressand contact details. Then, based on his or her location, italerts all donors within the local circle. "The patient and the donor can live chat and fix theprocedure to do the needful," an official of the firmLocalCircle said. The company, which began its journey last year in Delhi,has made the internet-based platform available in 100 citiesacross the country and has a 1,25,000 donors in its network. "Having a local network means help reaches faster.Otherwise, even if blood or platelet becomes available, eitherthe donor is too far or gets stuck in traffic jam and theassistance reaches the patient when it is too late. Thisplatform bridges that gap," he said. According to a municipal report, at least 277 cases ofdengue have been reported this season in Delhi, with 109 ofthese being recorded in the first two weeks of August. In Delhi, the vector-borne disease claimed its firstvictim on July 21 when a girl from Jafrabad in northeasternpart of the national capital died at Lok Nayak Jai PrakashHospital. Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan’s sister-in-law succumbed todengue on August 12 at Apollo Hospital here. Her plateletlevel had dropped to 11,000 when she was admitted in thehospital. In Mumabi, last year, there were 442 cases of dengue inwhich two deaths were reported. This year, 14,203 cases ofdengue have come to light and two deaths reported so far. In West Bengal, 17 people have died of dengue, while thenumber of people affected by the vector-borne disease has shotup to 3,201 since January. Telangana also has reported a largenumber of dengue cases this year. The company has eight national circles themed overvarious social issue which include – ‘Swachh Bharat Circle'(in partnership with Ministry of Urban Development), ‘MakeRailway Better Circle’ (with Railway Ministry’), and’Corruption-free India Circle’ (with global NGO TransparencyInternational), the official said. PTI KND NSD RTNSD