There are no units at all of `O' group blood type. There are only about five to seven units of `A' group blood and eight to ten units of `B' group blood. There are about two to four units of blood type AB. According to the technicians in the blood bank, there are no units at all of Rh negative blood.

``This problem has been there for the past three or four days now. Since `O' is a universal blood type we use it for all other types whenever we have a shortage in those,'' said a technician. ``We need at least 30 units of `O' blood to meet demand.''

``At present we have requisitioned about 20 units of blood from the Red Cross which arrived today and a few units of Rh negative blood from the CNC blood bank,'' said the technician. He said that the shortage of blood occurred `from time to time'.

The AIIMS blood bank is entirely reliant on voluntary donation of blood. To tide over the shortage, a blood donation camp is being organised in the OPD in the hospital. The blood collection from donors will be from 9.30 am to 3.30 am. The camp is being organised jointly by the AIIMS Blood bank and the Lion's Club of Defence Colony.