Blood Donation Day should be organized every day in our country. This will help in solving shortage of blood. Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chairman, IRCS said this in New Delhi today.
Addressing the valedictory function of Voluntary Blood Donor Week, Shri Azad said there are numerous people who can donate blood in our country. But due to lack awareness and motivation, the youths, who can donate maximum blood, are not forthcoming for blood donation. As a result, thousands of people are dying for want of blood. Since blood has no substitute, blood donation is a social responsibility for everyone. Unfortunately only 10 out of 1,000 persons donate blood in our country as against 34 persons per 1,000 in developed countries annually.
He said the Indian Red Cross Society, through its well-knit 166 blood banks across the country, contributes nearly 10% of the total blood requirement in the country. The model blood bank located at National Headquarters collects nearly 30,000 units a year by organising more than 300 blood donation camps in and around Delhi which helps nearly 50,000 needy patients every year. The blood bank is accredited with ISO certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards and has received accreditation from the National Accreditation Board of Hospital (NABH). Over 90% of the blood units collected by Indian Red Cross Society are through voluntary blood donations. 88% of the blood units collected is given free to the patients in the Government hospitals as well as to 900 Thalassemic children on regular basis. More than 50,000 SMSs have been sent by the Indian Red Cross Society for voluntary blood donation during the week this year.
Shri Azad felicitated voluntary blood donors and organizers. He also flagged off relief materials to the victims of natural calamities of Uttarakhand on behalf of the Indian Red Cross Society.