Now, a website for blood banks; 117 banks listed

KOLKATA: The state health department with the help of Union ministry of health, has launched a portal named `e-RaktKosh', where availability of blood across the state will be uploaded on a daily basis.

At present, the state government has linked 117 out of 128 blood banks in state. “There are a total of 128 blood banks in Bengal of which, 67 are state government-run, 15 are run by central government and the rest 46 are private. We have been able to link 117 blood banks so far of which 63 are government-run and the rest 54 are private. Till date, we have 10,544 bottles of blood and there is no shortage,“ said Chandrima Bhattacharyay, minister of state for health and family welfare on Friday .

The West Bengal Government had initially selected five blood banks for the purpose. “At present details of all 117 blood banks are uploaded,“ Bhattacharyay said.

“The portal will not only give the details of the availability of blood but also mention the blood group details and the nearest blood bank. The website will also highlight the scheduled blood donation camps and their location,“ Bhattacharyay added.

Bhattacharyay also said that 35,13,140 families have come under `Sasthya Sathi' ambit where contract workers in government departments will get free treatment upto Rs 1.5 lakh and will also be entitled for free treatment upto Rs 5 lakh for critical diseases.