Maharashtra: Mega drive to encourage blood donation launched

AURANGABAD: The divisional blood bank of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and stakeholders in the private sector launched a blood donation campaign on October 1 to create awareness on the noble deed.

The campaign, which has been organised as part of the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day, which falls on October 1, will end on to October 18.

Various events have been organised to highlight the importance of blood and blood components in saving the lives of people such as accident victims and thalassemia patients.

Kanan Yelikar, the dean of GMCH, said blood collection and exchange has improved after opening of the blood component unit.

From October 2018 to September 2019, a total of 171,11 units of blood were collected by the divisional blood bank and 23,978 units (plasma 7,981, platelets 2,943 and packed cell volume 11,969 PCV) were transmitted. Of this, 16,093 units (94%) came from voluntary blood donation.

Since January this year, 15,608 blood components were prepared and used. The divisional blood bank has stated that the ratio of contaminated blood cells has also reduced significantly over the last one year. However, the lack of blood units at the government blood bank has been a major concern. Hence, an appeal to people to donate blood.

A ‘rangoli’ competition and a poster exhibition will be held in the GMCH’s OPD building at 10am on October 1.

Narendra Maharaj blood donation camps will be held at various places from October 2 to 13. Different colleges will hold such events and experts will deliver lectures from October 1 to 15. A slogan competition will be organised from October 1 to 15 by the divisional blood bank.

A mega blood donation camp will be organised at Badwe Engineering Ltd, Khandewadi, Aurangabad, on October 10. A rally from Kranti Chowk to Aurangapura will be held at 9 am on October 16. City colleges, blood banks and NGOs will participate in the rally.