Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday directed health department officials to ensure early procurement of equipment to strengthen blood banks.
“The state action plan for strengthening blood transfusion services must be strictly followed to ensure ultimate safety,” Patnaik said during a meeting held at the secretariat to review measures taken to strengthen blood banks. The Chief Minister also asked the officials to encourage voluntary blood donation.
The state action plan for ensuring safe and adequate blood has been approved and a task force has been constituted for this, officials said at the meeting.
Technical specifications for equipment such as blood component separation units, mobile blood vans and cooler boxes have been finalised and orders placed for their purchase. Nine mobile vans will be purchased. An automation process is being developed for grouping and cross matching of blood.
The health department also decided to prepare a directory of people and their blood groups in view of the increasing voluntary blood donation. Initially, people with rare blood groups will be registered and a blood helpline will be launched. A regular calendar will also be maintained for blood collection.
Till November, 3.65 lakh units of blood have been collected, of which 45 per cent is through voluntary blood donation, said officials.
The major contributors among the voluntary donors are Jiban Bindu and Ama Orissa, which have collected 79,526 units and 23,740 units, respectively.
As many as 1,206 voluntary blood donation camps have been organised in 2015, officials said, adding that the transport department has been asked to issue bus passes to regular donors.
The meeting was attended by health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Chief Secretary AP Padhi, the development commissioner, principal secretary (health) and other senior officials of the health department.
