The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Blood transportation vehicles flagged off

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Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Blood transportation vehicles flagged off

Staff Reporter

World Blood Donor Day observed by launching nine such facilities

They will be used for testing, collecting and transporting blood to needy hospitals
Sriramulu urges youngsters to donate
blood frequently

68, and still counting:B. Kumar, who has donated blood 68 times, being felicitated by Health Minister B. Sriramulu on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day in Bangalore on Monday.

BANGALORE: Health Minister B. Sriramulu flagged off nine blood transportation vehicles here on World Blood Donor Day on Monday. The vehicles, funded by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), will be used for testing, collecting and transporting blood to hospitals where there is a deficit.

One vehicle each will be sent to Victoria, Bowring and KC General Hospitals in Bangalore, KR Hospital in Mysore, Belgaum District Hospital, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubli and Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences, District Government Hospital in Gulbarga and Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Science in Bellary.

Speaking after participating in the blood donation camp organised by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS), the Indian Red Cross Society and the Karnataka State Blood Transfusion Council, Mr. Sriramulu warned that strict action would be taken against hospitals, nursing homes and individuals found selling blood illegally. He said the present percentage of voluntary blood donors is 73 and urged youngsters to contribute in making it touch 100 per cent by donating blood, at least on their birthdays.

Schemes

The Minister said the budget to treat haemophilia patients would be increased to Rs. 1 crore and the Government had utilised Rs. 9 crore in conducting medical tests and treating students under the Suvarna Arogya Chaitanya scheme.

Health Secretary E.V. Ramana Reddy, who also participated in the camp, said there are 171 blood banks in the State and thrust was being given on the establishment of blood storage units rather than blood banks in the First Referral Units.

He added that such storage units had already been established in 30 taluks under the National Rural Health Mission.

S.B. Kulkarni, Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society said the State needed about five lakh units of blood every year, compared to 3.7 lakh units available. As a result, only 68 per cent of required blood is available; the rest has to be fulfilled by voluntary donors, especially youngsters.

“Blood has no religion, caste or creed. It has no substitute either,” he said.

On the occasion, 13 donors who had donated blood the maximum number of times were felicitated. B. Kumar, a Public Relations Officer at BGS Global Hospitals, who has donated blood 68 times said, “I have been donating blood eight to 10 times a year since 1980. I think everyone should do it.”

Who can donate

The appropriate age for a donor is between 18 and 60, and the minimum weight requirement is 45 kg. The donor should have a haemoglobin count of 12.5 g/dl or more. Donors can donate blood once every three months.

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