India, Nov. 15 -- In a unique social media appeal, the director of Tata Memorial Hospital Dr C S Pramesh on Saturday afternoon posted an urgent request for blood. "Please come forward to donate blood," he said. "If anybody or your housing societies can arrange larger blood donation camps, we can organise them on site. Your selfless gesture can help us continue services as usual at the hospital."

Speaking to HT, Dr Pramesh said that the blood shortage had threatened to disrupt regular surgeries at his hospital. "We conduct about 35 to 40 surgeries every day," he said. "We have managed things so far but next week could be difficult. In the coming weeks, if this shortage continues, we may not be able to do half the surgeries planned." Dr Pr...