Punjab State AIDS Control Society and Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council today organized a State-level function on the occasion of National Voluntary Blood Donation Day at Kisan Vikas Chamber. Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab S. Balbir Singh Sidhu was the Chief Guest. During this program, 14 voluntary blood donation organizations were honoured, which last year managed more than 2000 blood units and made them available to the blood banks. Similarly, 17 male blood donors who donated blood more than 100 times, 24 female blood donors who donated blood more than 10 times, 6 blood banks, 1 Medical College and 6 blood component separation units were honoured as well.On this occasion, S. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that on National Voluntary Blood Donation Day, blood donation is encouraged among the public as well as volunteers. This day is celebrated on Dr. Jai Gopal Jolly's birthday, who was providing his services in PGI and Government Hospital, Sector-16, Chandigarh itself. He made a significant contribution to blood donation in the country and was considered the leader of the blood banks in India. This year 2020 is being celebrated by the Government of India under the theme "Let's donate blood and contribute to the fight against Corona." Even in the challenging hour of the Corona pandemic, the blood donors did not allow any shortage of blood, and even during the lockdown, they continued donating blood for the needy with the passes issued by the Government.Health & Family Welfare Minister, Punjab said that all the Government Hospitals in Punjab are providing free blood facility to the patients. There are 132 licensed blood banks in Punjab for the convenience of the people, out of which 46 are run by the Government, 6 by the Military, and 80 by the Private Hospitals and institutions.
In addition, 90 blood banks have the facility of blood component separation. One unit of blood donated with this facility can save four precious lives.Sh. Amit Kumar, Project Director, Punjab State AIDS Control Society, said that Punjab is collecting more blood units than the target set by the Government of India. In the year 2019-20, the total number of 4,34,795 blood units were collected in collaboration with blood donors, NGOs, and blood banks. However, the Government blood banks had set a target of collecting 180,000 units of blood. While in Punjab, 2,26,749 blood units were collected.On this occasion, Sh. Amit Kumar said that blood donation, which is voluntary and selfless, for any good cause and without any pressure is considered a great donation. A person who donates blood voluntarily is the real hero of society. Because their donated blood can save many lives. He encouraged people to donate more blood.Meanwhile, Additional Project Director of Punjab State AIDS Control Society Dr. Manpreet Chatwal said that safe blood transfusion falls under the ambit of legal protection in India. Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, no blood bank in India can operate without a license. According to the National Blood Policy, blood-borne diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis-B and C, Syphilis, and Malaria are tested before a blood transfusion. These standards are met by licensed blood banks. Therefore, people are urged to get blood from licensed blood banks. On this occasion, Sh. Shivinder Sehdev, Programme Officer-IEC/BCC, NHM, Punjab was the stage host. . On this event ADC (D) Mohali, Sh. Rajeev Kumar Gupta, SDM Sh. Jagdeep Sehgal, Director Cooprative Bank Mohali Sh. Harkesh Chand Sharma, Dr. Sunita, Joint Director (BTS & LS), Dr. Vinay Mohan Joint Director (CST), Dr. Bobby Gulati Deputy Director (STI), Ms. Pavan Rekha Beri Joint Director (IEC), Dr. Meenu Joint Director (TI) and other concerned official were present as well.