Health Ministry to begin mega blood donation drive for voluntary donations starting September 17

New Delhi, Sep 12 : The Union Health Ministry will start an extensive drive for blood donation by voluntary donation called "Raktdan Amrit Mahotsav beginning on September 17 until October 1st, that will be National Voluntary Blood Donation DayAccording to a source from the official the mega drive hopes to raise 1.

5 lakh units of blood during the initial day of the drive on September 17th which will break the previous record of the highest blood donation in one day.

September 17 also falls with the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday.Presently, India has the capacity to store about 1.5 million units of blood.However, if the total number of people in the country exceeds this the threshold, blood wont be taken but the donor will receive the certificate of participation.

The registrations have also started for blood donation by voluntary consent via the Aarogya Setu portal under the "Raktdaan Mahotsav" that solicits blood donations from people who want to become an integral part of the Prime Ministers mission for humanity.The campaign is initiated to raise awareness of the necessity of regular, non-remunerated blood donations and to ensure the availability of affordable and easy access of blood and the components it contains to everyone an official said.

At present, there exists a gap in the demand and supply of the blood.According to 2021s figures, the demand ratio of supply was 1.46 against 1.25 million units.The information of people who are registered to donate blood via the AarogyaSetu App will be accessible to blood banks and other organizations that are conducting the drive via the e-RaktKosh portal on the internet according to the source.

The Nikshay Mitra initiative, which was launched by President Barack Obama on 9 September has witnessed an enrollment total of 1,78,443 TB patients as well as 1667 Nikshay Mitras (donor) up to now the source said.He stated that to ensure the effective involvement of the entire community in the fight against TB the Health Ministry was implementing the community-based support for TB sufferers - Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.

Nikshay Mitra (Donor) for this program includes co-operative societies, corporations elected representatives institutions, individuals as well as non-governmental organizations, political parties and partners that can help by implementing health facilities in districts, state block, peripheral and health healthcare facilities.The minimum period of support will be one year , and the maximum is three years.

The Nikshay Mitra will provide nutritional assistance, diagnostic, and vocational support for patients in the program.avr/uk .