Odisha Govt to set up ‘Blood Helpline’

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 23:

Odisha Government has decided to set up a ‘Blood Helpline’ to facilitate blood to the needy patients as and when required. The decision was taken in a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat today.

As per a press brief issued by the Public Relation Officer of the Chief Minister after the review meeting; apart from the help line, it was decided to prepare a directory of people with their blood groups. At the initial stage people with rare blood groups will be registered and a Blood Helpline will be operational. Regular calendar will be maintained for blood collection.

The Chief Minister also directed the Health Department for early procurement of equipment to strengthen blood banks.

He said that the State Action Plan (SAP) for strengthening blood transfusion services must be strictly followed to ensure ultimate safety. He also advised the officials to encourage voluntary blood donation.

It was revealed in the meeting that the SAP for ensuring safe and adequate blood has been approved and a task force has already been constituted. Technical specifications for equipment like BCSU (Blood Component Separation Units), mobile blood vans, cooler boxes and other equipment have been finalized and orders placed for purchase.

Overall, nine mobile vans will be purchased. Further, automation is being developed for grouping and cross matching of blood.

Besides, it was also revealed in the meeting that a whopping 45 percent of the  3.65 lakh units of blood collected this year by November, have been received through voluntary donation.

Among the voluntary donors, Jiban Bindu and Ama Odisha are major contributors. Jiban Bindu has collected 79,526 units and Ama Odisha has collected 23, 740 units. 1206 Voluntary Blood donation Camps have been organized in 2015. Transport Department has been asked to issue bus passes to regular donors.