Punjab Ranks Third in India for Voluntary Blood Donation, Ensures Free Blood for Patients

Punjab Ranks Third in India for Voluntary Blood Donation, Ensures Free Blood for Patients

Chandigarh, October 3: In a remarkable achievement, Punjab has secured the third position among all states and union territories in India for its outstanding contributions to voluntary blood donation. This recognition was bestowed by the Blood Transfusion Services (BTS) under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (GoI). The accolade was presented during the India Blood Donation NGO Conclave held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, in honor of National Voluntary Blood Donation Day, celebrated on October 1, 2024.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh congratulated the State Blood Transfusion Council of Punjab for its exemplary performance in 2023-24. During this period, the council organized an impressive 11,109 blood donation camps and successfully collected 493,000 units of blood, surpassing the Government of India’s target of 460,000 units. This achievement underscores Punjab’s commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and ensuring a stable supply of safe blood for patients in need.

The award was accepted by Joint Director BTS/PSBTC Dr. Sunita Devi and Mr. Surinder Singh on behalf of the state, further highlighting the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in advancing blood donation initiatives.

Dr. Balbir Singh praised the continuous dedication of health and blood transfusion teams in ensuring the availability of safe blood. He also acknowledged the significant contributions of Project Director PSACS and Director PSBTC Varinder Kumar Sharma for spearheading key initiatives and enhancing voluntary blood donation efforts throughout the state.

The minister highlighted Punjab’s extensive network of 182 licensed blood centers, which includes 49 government blood centers distributed across all districts, ensuring comprehensive coverage for patients. Among these facilities, 83 are licensed Blood Component Separation Units (BCSUs), comprising 26 government-operated BCSUs that provide essential blood components such as packed red blood cells (PRBC), platelets, and plasma. This infrastructure significantly enhances patient care by making vital blood components readily accessible.

Dr. Balbir Singh also emphasized that blood is available free of charge to all patients in Punjab’s public health institutions, including district hospitals, sub-district hospitals, community health centers (CHCs), primary health centers (PHCs), and government medical colleges. This initiative ensures that no one in Punjab is deprived of this life-saving resource, reinforcing the government’s commitment to public health and welfare.

In his statement, Dr. Balbir Singh reiterated the importance of voluntary blood donation and encouraged citizens to participate actively in blood donation drives. He noted that each blood donation can save up to three lives and plays a crucial role in managing medical emergencies, surgeries, and treatment for various health conditions.

As Punjab continues to make strides in health care and blood donation initiatives, this recognition serves as a testament to the collective efforts of the state’s health professionals, volunteers, and donors. The government remains committed to maintaining and enhancing these efforts, ensuring that Punjab remains at the forefront of voluntary blood donation in the country.

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