TULUNGAGUNG – The blood supply in Tulungagung has declined during Ramadan this year, pushing Indonesian Red Cross Tulungagung to strengthen emergency collection efforts as demand from hospitals remains steady ahead of Eid.

Officials at the local blood donation unit said the decline appeared earlier than in previous years. They noted that Ramadan usually begins with stronger reserves, but this year available stock opened at a lower level.

To prevent shortages, PMI launched an additional evening donation service at GOR Lembu Peteng. The temporary post allows residents to donate blood after breaking their fast, with operations running daily from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Rukmi, head of the blood donation unit, said initial stock this Ramadan reached only around 800 bags.

In previous years, opening stock often reached around 1,000 bags, giving hospitals more flexibility during the first weeks of fasting.

“This year the supply is lower than usual. During the last five years, we never needed to open a special evening service like this, but now we must take additional steps because stock has dropped,” she said.

The latest data show that total blood stock currently stands at around 680 bags.

That figure includes several blood components, including platelets and frozen plasma, but packed red cells remain the most frequently requested supply for hospitals.

Among all blood groups, type B has become the most limited and now sits below 100 bags.

Blood type O currently reaches 159 bags, while type A stands at 146 bags.

Type AB remains relatively stable at 71 bags.

PMI records around 455 bags of packed red cells across all blood groups, making that component the most closely monitored in daily hospital distribution.

Rukmi said blood type B requires the most urgent public response because hospitals continue requesting it regularly.

Even with the decline, PMI says hospital blood banks across Tulungagung remain under control.

The local branch continues supplying major medical facilities, including RSUD dr Iskak, RS Bhayangkara Tulungagung, and RSUD dr Karneni.

Officials continue monitoring requests every day because hospital demand often shifts quickly during Ramadan.

PMI also maintains an active emergency network with nearby regions.

If local supply falls too far, Tulungagung can request blood support from Kediri, Blitar, and Malang.

The same cooperation applies in reverse when neighboring areas face shortages.

“If stock here becomes empty, we can ask for support from nearby regions, and they can request help from us when needed. Our priority is making sure hospitals in Tulungagung always receive blood when patients need it,” she said.

PMI expects public participation to rise in the coming days as more residents become aware of the evening donation post.

The organization believes stronger donor turnout will help secure reserves before Eid, when hospital demand often becomes harder to predict.