Lok Sabha Question No. 2245 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Observation of World Blood Donors’ Day
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Supriya Sadanand Sule

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUE STION NO. 2245 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD SEPTEMBER, 2020

## OBSERVATION OF WORLD BLOOD DONORS' DAY

## 2245. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMR E:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOL HE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SUL E:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government observed World Blood Donor Day recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the theme of the event and initiatives undertaken;
- (c)  whether  there  is  shortage  of  blood  in  various blood  banks  due  to  COVID - 19  pandemic situation causing lot of difficulties to patients and if so, the corrective steps taken in this re gard;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to push  for  a  multi - sectoral  and  multi -stakeholder collaboration,  creating  opportunities  to  donate  and  raise public  awareness  on  the need for safe blood donation in the country, if so the details thereof;
- (e) whether blood bank facilities are not available in various districts in the country; and
- (f) if so, whether the Government proposes to formulate any blood bank policy stipulating setting up at least one blood bank in every district in the coun tryespecially in Tamil Nadu and Southern States?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b) Yes. World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) was observed on 14th June 2020. The theme of World Blood D onor Day 2020 was ' Safe Blood Saves Lives '

National  Blood  Transfusion  Council  (NBTC)  issued  communications  to  all  State  Blood Transfusion  Councils  (SBTCs)  for  observance  of  WBDD  2020  through  conduction  of  blood donation camps and awareness generation activities for promoting the cause of Voluntary Blood Donation (VBD) through a multi - media approach and in partnership with all stakeholders; while maintaining compliance to the social distancing and other norms as per the COVID - 19 advisories issued from t ime to time.

(c) There has been no reported instance of shortage of blood in various blood banks causing lot of difficulties to patients.

Though the collection of blood has reduced during this year as compared to the pre years, there has also been an equivalent reduction in demand for blood due to deferred electi surgeries and non - urgent clinical conditions needing blood transfusion.

Communications were issued to all State Health Ministers from Hon'ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare reque sting for their interventions for augmenting VBD.

A  National  level  committee  set  up  by  the  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfa periodically reviewed the status of availability and adequacy of blood supplies across States/ Union Territories.

Special provisions were made with the support of Ministry of Home Affairs to facilita unhindered movement of blood donors, blood mobile and blood transportation vans.

Blood  Donor  Appointment  Letters  and  permission  letters  were  issued  for  facilitat ing  the movement of blood donors and mobile teams for blood collection.

Registration of patients of thalassemia and sickle cell disease was enabled on eRa portal to raise their requirement and connect to blood centres as per availability.

Blood c entres were encouraged to utilize the provisions under extant regulations for t of  tested  blood  and  blood  components  between  licensed  blood  centres  and  to  blood  sto centers so as to ensure timely supply of blood to needy patients.

(d)  Steps  hav e  been  taken  to  engage  with  different  Government  Departments,  voluntary organizations like Indian Red Cross Society, blood donor associations, professional assoc and other stakeholders for creating opportunities to donate and raise public awareness on the need for safe blood donation in the country .

The  Government  supports  various  activities  like  conducting  blood  donation  camp observance of events on VBD days and motivating youth groups in coordination with agenc like  Nehru  Yuva  Kendra Sansthan,  National  Service  Scheme,  Red  Ribbon  Clubs  in  various Universities and Colleges, etc.

The Government has also made a provision of two special casual leaves per year that c availed by Central Government employees for donating blood.

(e) & ( f) The policy of the Government is to have at least one blood centre in each distr blood centre facilities are available across all except 63 districts in the country.

However, even in these districts, need for blood and blood components are met through the blood centres in neighbouring districts.