Phuket called on for urgent blood donation to help Russian tourist

PHUKET: Vachira Phuket Hospital is in urgent need of donations of blood type A-negative so doctors can perform an operation on a Russian tourist injured in a motorcycle accident.

“Anyone who has – or knows of anyone with – blood group A-negative is urged to visit Vachira Phuket Hospital and donate blood in order to allow the tourist to receive vitally needed surgery,” said Nurse Methawee Maneesri.

Nurse Methawee explained that 33-year-old Russian national Alexy Gorbunov fractured his right leg in a motorcycle accident on November 27.

After a successful operation on his leg and physical therapy he has recently begun to feel pain in his neck.

“An x-ray examination revealed injury to the bones in the neck. The danger is that paralysis may occur if the damaged bones compress the nerves that run through the spinal canal.

“Currently he is unable to move his neck and is wearing a cervical collar to prevent any further injury,” Nurse Methawee explained.

“The surgeons need to operate on him again, but there is not enough A negative blood to do so. If we receive enough A-negative blood from donors today [December 7′, they will operate immediately. If not, Alexy will have to stay in hospital until enough blood can be collected,” she said.

The hospital reported that his first operation required a significant amount of A-negative blood and that has exhausted the blood bank of that blood type.

The Phuket Regional Blood Center has since called for blood donations from foreigners to restock dwindling supplies at the blood bank.

Surgeons assess that Mr Gorbunov needs another three units (about one liter) of A-negative blood.

The hospital has contacted Russian Embassy officials and the Phuket Red Cross to seek blood donations.

To make a donation, call 076-361234-1285.

— Anchisa Buajoom