Health min TS Singh Deo launches blood donation month, announces establishment of blood banks in all the community health centers of the state

Raipur
Health Minister TS Singh Deo on Friday launched the Blood Donation Month on the
occasion of National Voluntary Blood Donation Day.

He
flagged off the publicity chariot from his residence office located at Civil
Lines to motivate people for blood donation. These publicity chariots will make
citizens aware about voluntary blood donation in major haat-bazaars, malls,
schools and colleges of Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Bhilai.

National
Voluntary Blood Donation Day is celebrated every year on October 1 to promote
blood donation. This year it is being celebrated on the theme “Give blood and
keep the world beating”.

Addressing
the gathering on occasion, health minister said that Chief Medical and Health
Officers of all the districts have been directed to observe the month of
October as Blood Donation Month and organize blood donation camps this month in
large numbers.

The
health department is working towards setting up blood banks in all the
community health centers of the state. He said that at the time of formation of
the state, there were only 9 blood banks in Chhattisgarh which have now
increased to 95. There are 31 government blood banks operating in 28 districts
of the state. In the newly formed Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district also, a
government blood bank will be started this year.

He
added that according to the population of the state, there is a need of 2.55 lakh
units of blood every year. Against this, about 2 units are being arranged. The
collection of blood in blood banks is being increased every year.