Lok Sabha Question No. 1896 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-30
Subject: World Blood Donor Day
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Manickam Tagore B

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1896 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2021

## WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY

## 1896. DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE :

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA :

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

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

- ( a) whether the Government has observed World Blood Donor Day recently;
- ( c) whether there is shortage of blood in various blood banks due to second wave of COVID-19 pandemic causing lot of difficulties to patients and if so, the corrective steps taken in this regard;
- ( b) if so, the details thereof along with the theme of the event and initiatives undertaken therein;
- ( d) whether the Government has taken any steps to raise public awareness on  the  need  for  safe  blood  donation  in  the  country,  if  so  the  details thereof;
- ( 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 country especially in the state of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra?
- ( e) whether blood bank facilities are not available in various districts in the country; and

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR.BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) & (b): Yes  Sir,  World  Blood  Donor  Day  (WBDD)  was  observed on 14 th June, 2021 .  The  theme  of  World  Blood  Donor  Day  2021  was  ' Give  Blood and keep the world beating ' Directorate General of Health Services issued communications  including  a  guidance  note  to  all  State  Blood  Transfusion Councils (SBTCs) for observance of WBDD 2021 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 time to  time ( Annexure-I ). Following this, throughout the  country  Blood  Donation Camps and other IEC activities were organized.

(c): No, there is no reported shortage of Blood in the country due to second wave of COVID-19 in the country. Though the collection of blood has reduced during this year as compared to the previous years before the COVID times, there  has  also  been  an  equivalent  reduction  in  demand  for  blood  due  to deferred  elective  surgeries  and  non-urgent  clinical  conditions  needing  blood transfusion. During January to June 2021 , a total of 49.83 lac units of Blood were collected across the country. State-wise data is enclosed Annexure-II . Special provisions were made with the support of Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate the unhindered movement of blood donors, blood mobile and blood transportation vans.

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

(d): Steps have been taken to engage with different Government Departments,  voluntary  organizations  like  Indian  Red  Cross  Society,  blood donor  associations,  professional  associations  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 camps, observance of events on VBD days  and  motivating  youth  groups  in  coordination  with  agencies  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 four special casual leaves per year  that  can  be  availed  by  Central  Government  employees  for  donating blood.

(e) & (f): The policy of the Government is to have at least one blood bank in each district. Public Health, being a State subject, it is the primary responsibility of the State Governments to ensure the establishment of blood banks  as  per  their  need.  However, support  is  provided  to  States/UTs  to strengthen  their  healthcare  system  including  strengthening  existing  blood banks / establishing new blood banks based on the proposals submitted by the States through National Health Mission.

There are a total of 3500 licensed blood banks located in different states of the country (Annexure-III) ,  however there are 63 districts  in  the  country  not having blood banks at the moment ( Annexure-IV).

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

*****

## GUIDANCE NOTE ISSUED BY  DIRECTORATE  GENERAL  OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR ORGANIZING ACTIVITIES ON  THE OCCASION OF WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2021

World  Blood  Donor  Day  is  celebrated  across  the  globe  on 14 th June each year. The day marks the opportunity to thank the blood donors for their life saving gift of blood The day is also celebrated  to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution of voluntary, unpaid blood donors towards this cause .The  occasion also provides an opportunity to call to action to governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources and put into place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.

Ensuring Safe blood and blood products are a critical aspect of health care and public health system. This saves millions of lives and improve the health and quality of life of many patients every day. Blood is an intrinsic requirement for health care and Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) are an integral part of healthcare system throughout the world. Blood cannot be manufactured artificially, only human beings can share this gift of life. Voluntary, non-remunerated Blood Donors from a low risk population are the cornerstone of the safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products.

To ensure that everyone who needs safe blood has access to it, all countries need voluntary, unpaid donors who donate blood regularly. Throughout the COVID19  pandemic,  despite  limited  mobility  and  other  challenges,  blood  donors  have continued  to  donate  blood  and  plasma  to  patients  who  need  transfusion. This extraordinary effort during a time of unprecedented crisis highlights the crucial role of well-organized,  committed  voluntary,  non-remunerated  blood  donors  in  ensuring  a safe and sufficient blood supply.

## Focus of this year's campaign

This year, the World Blood Donor Day theme is ' Give blood and keep the world beating '.  The  message  highlights  the  essential  contribution  blood  donors make for keeping the world pulsating by saving lives and improving others' health. It reinforces  the  global  call  for  more  and  more  people  all  over  the  world  to  come forward and donate blood regularly and contribute to better health.

A  special  focus  of  this  year's  campaign  will  be  the  role  of  young  people  in ensuring  a  safe  blood  supply.  In  many  countries,  young  people  have  been  at  the forefront  of  such  activities  and  initiatives  aimed  at  achieving  safe  blood  supplies through  voluntary,  non-remunerated  blood  donations.  Young  people  form  a  large sector  of  the  population  in  many  societies  and  are  generally  full  of  idealism, enthusiasm and creativity.

## The specific objectives of this year's campaign are to :

- To celebrate and thank blood donors and create wider public awareness of the need for regular, unpaid blood donation
- To  give  attention  on  donor  health  and  the  quality  of  donor  care  as  critical factors in building donor commitment and a willingness to donate regularly
- To highlight  the  need  for  committed,  year  round  blood  donation  to  maintain adequate  supplies  and  achieve  universal  and timely  access  to  safe  blood transfusion
- promote  the  community  values  of  blood  donation  in  enhancing  community solidarity and social cohesion;
- To mobilize support at national , regional and global levels  among governments and development partners to invest in, strengthen and sustain national Blood programmes
- encourage youth to embrace the humanitarian call to donate blood and inspire others to do the same;
- Engagement of youth as partners in promoting health.

## Activities at state level :

Activities to be conducted at state /district/Block through engagement of Directorate of health services , state health missions, state AIDS control society and state blood transfusion councils

1. Chief  Secretary/Secretary  Health  of  the  state  may  organize  a  meeting  with senior  officials  of  the  state  health  departments  ,SBTC,s  Govt  organizations, State head of youth organizations, social organizations, presidents of clubs to ensure their support in promotion of voluntary blood donation
3. Seminars/workshop  may  be  conducted  on  virtual  platform  for  increasing awareness about voluntary blood donation
2. Every blood bank to at least organize 4 camps during the month
4. Posters/pamphlets and other IEC material may be disseminated to educate college  students,  sports  personnel,  police,  paramedical  forces  and  other important institutions
5. Meetings  may  be  held  with  regional  channels,  Doordarshan,  Private  FM channels to telecast discussions on healthy blood donations
6. The blood transportation vans and Blood mobile vehicles may be painted with theme of WBDD  on one side
7. Hon'ble ministers, Hon'ble MP,s Hon'ble MLA,s , presidents of Zila Parishads may be requested to participate in these celebrations

## Activities at Blood bank level :

1. Posters and banners of World Blood donation day 2021 displaying the theme should be put up in and around every licensed blood bank. Talks and Nukkad Nataks may be organized with the support of NGPO partners, SACS, SBTC etc.
3. Blood grouping camps may be conducted to enrol voluntary blood donors , attempts  may  be  made  to  enrol  at  least  500-1000  blood  donors  per  blood bank
2. Blood is to be solely collected from voluntary non remunerated blood donors during  the  month  of  June  2021  with  zero  reliance  on  replacement  blood donation

Annexure-II

## Data Item Across State Wise ( Blood Unit Collected during January to June, 2021)

|                           | Section 1 : Blood Units collected during the Month-->Sub Section A   | Section 1 : Blood Units collected during the Month-->Sub Section A   | Section 1 : Blood Units collected during the Month-->Sub Section A   | Section 1 : Blood Units collected during the Month-->Sub Section A   | Section 1 : Blood Units collected during the Month-->Sub Section A   | Section 1 : Blood Units collected during the Month-->Sub Section A   | Section 1 : Blood Units collected during the Month-->Sub Section A   | Section 1 : Blood Units collected during the Month-->Sub Section A   |              |
|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
|                           | Voluntary Blood Donor                                                | Voluntary Blood Donor                                                | Voluntary Blood Donor                                                | Voluntary Blood Donor                                                | Family Blood Donor                                                   | Family Blood Donor                                                   | Replacement Blood Donation                                           | Replacement Blood Donation                                           |              |
|                           | Blood Donation at Blood Bank                                         | Blood Donation at Blood Bank                                         | Blood Donation at Voluntary Blood Donation Camps                     | Blood Donation at Voluntary Blood Donation Camps                     | Blood Donation at Blood Bank                                         | Blood Donation at Blood Bank                                         | Blood Donation at Blood Bank                                         | Blood Donation at Blood Bank                                         | Total        |
|                           | Male Donors (A)                                                      | Female Donors (B)                                                    | Male Donors (C)                                                      | Female Donors (D)                                                    | Male Donors (A)                                                      | Female Donors (B)                                                    | Male Donors (A)                                                      | Female Donors (B)                                                    |              |
| India                     | 1637485                                                              | 39703                                                                | 1715532                                                              | 139503                                                               | 304285                                                               | 7937                                                                 | 1113806                                                              | 25130                                                                | 4983381      |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1184                                                                 | 44                                                                   | 461                                                                  | 23                                                                   | 0                                                                    | 0                                                                    | 70                                                                   | 0                                                                    | 1782         |
| Andhra Pradesh            | 113128                                                               | 1101                                                                 | 35027                                                                | 692                                                                  | 13313                                                                | 39                                                                   | 37254                                                                | 136                                                                  | 200690       |
| Arunachal Pradesh         | 779                                                                  | 54                                                                   | 370                                                                  | 134                                                                  | 0                                                                    | 0                                                                    | 523                                                                  | 31                                                                   | 1891         |
| Assam                     | 31023                                                                | 444                                                                  | 3259                                                                 | 325                                                                  | 12968                                                                | 336                                                                  | 34684                                                                | 580                                                                  | 83619        |
| Bihar                     | 16228                                                                | 564                                                                  | 8402                                                                 | 568                                                                  | 15118                                                                | 679                                                                  | 48253                                                                | 1586                                                                 | 91398        |
| Chandigarh                | 2110                                                                 | 93                                                                   | 26256                                                                | 876                                                                  | 1878                                                                 | 18                                                                   | 6685                                                                 | 67                                                                   | 37983        |
| Chhatisgarh               | 21301                                                                | 379                                                                  | 7548                                                                 | 466                                                                  | 7595                                                                 | 87                                                                   | 42885                                                                | 542                                                                  | 80803        |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli      | 1720                                                                 | 1                                                                    | 911                                                                  | 3                                                                    | 0                                                                    | 0                                                                    | 0                                                                    | 0                                                                    | 2635         |
| Daman & Diu               | 263                                                                  | 16                                                                   | 165                                                                  | 13                                                                   | 0                                                                    | 0                                                                    | 318                                                                  | 41                                                                   | 816          |
| Delhi                     | 15412                                                                | 748                                                                  | 9566                                                                 | 307                                                                  | 10542                                                                | 417                                                                  | 39401                                                                | 981                                                                  | 77374        |
| Goa                       | 1006                                                                 | 186                                                                  | 4685                                                                 | 1496                                                                 | 55                                                                   | 14                                                                   | 2924                                                                 | 346                                                                  | 10712        |
| Gujarat                   | 126326                                                               | 1951                                                                 | 162557                                                               | 7289                                                                 | 6201                                                                 | 314                                                                  | 85915                                                                | 882                                                                  | 391435       |
| Haryana                   | 55076                                                                | 2137                                                                 | 81869                                                                | 2571                                                                 | 7624                                                                 | 203                                                                  | 49889                                                                | 1055                                                                 | 200424       |
| Himachal Pradesh          | 6846                                                                 | 263                                                                  | 8670                                                                 | 549                                                                  | 914                                                                  | 13                                                                   | 2961                                                                 | 77                                                                   | 20293        |
| Jammu & Kashmir           | 20052                                                                | 94                                                                   | 2470                                                                 | 137                                                                  | 4678                                                                 | 2                                                                    | 10385                                                                | 48                                                                   | 37866        |
| Jharkhand                 | 23814                                                                | 476                                                                  | 23206                                                                | 1150                                                                 | 9219                                                                 | 137                                                                  | 34327                                                                | 382                                                                  | 92711        |
| Karnataka                 | 159891                                                               | 3950                                                                 | 102366                                                               | 7097                                                                 | 11372                                                                | 248                                                                  | 45789                                                                | 1251                                                                 | 331964       |
| Kerala                    | 128489                                                               | 2754                                                                 | 18543                                                                | 1219                                                                 | 12689                                                                | 232                                                                  | 32449                                                                | 420                                                                  | 196795       |
| Madhya Pradesh            | 100337                                                               | 1795                                                                 | 43962                                                                | 2500                                                                 | 10338                                                                | 207                                                                  | 48464                                                                | 1134                                                                 | 208737       |
| Maharashtra               | 129971                                                               | 4688                                                                 | 379774                                                               | 17871                                                                | 1369                                                                 | 63                                                                   | 4360                                                                 | 245                                                                  | 538341       |
| Manipur                   | 677                                                                  | 96                                                                   | 1027                                                                 | 148                                                                  | 1264                                                                 | 188                                                                  | 7003                                                                 | 510                                                                  | 10913        |
| Meghalaya                 | 1257                                                                 | 49                                                                   | 644                                                                  | 85                                                                   | 1303                                                                 | 39                                                                   | 3710                                                                 | 162                                                                  | 7249         |
| Mizoram                   | 3914                                                                 | 746                                                                  | 4960                                                                 | 1627                                                                 | 9                                                                    | 9                                                                    | 1323                                                                 | 198                                                                  | 12786        |
| Nagaland                  | 605                                                                  | 260                                                                  | 434                                                                  | 99                                                                   | 1767                                                                 | 169                                                                  | 988                                                                  | 142                                                                  | 4464         |
| Odisha                    | 18874                                                                | 665                                                                  | 88125                                                                | 7197                                                                 | 959                                                                  | 27                                                                   | 36687                                                                | 823                                                                  | 153357       |
| Puducherry                | 5127                                                                 | 88                                                                   | 758                                                                  | 92                                                                   | 7312                                                                 | 190                                                                  | 2426                                                                 | 51                                                                   | 16044        |
| Punjab                    | 97943                                                                | 1094                                                                 | 57589                                                                | 1670                                                                 | 7361                                                                 | 126                                                                  | 10457                                                                | 160                                                                  | 176400       |
| Rajasthan                 | 59158                                                                | 1904                                                                 | 171448                                                               | 5275                                                                 | 38254                                                                | 212                                                                  | 80225                                                                | 491                                                                  | 356967       |
| Sikkim                    | 130                                                                  | 49                                                                   | 617                                                                  | 174                                                                  | 0                                                                    | 0                                                                    | 414                                                                  | 44                                                                   | 1428         |
| Tamil Nadu                | 282057                                                               | 3703                                                                 | 45182                                                                | 1880                                                                 | 7295                                                                 | 395                                                                  | 22222                                                                | 735                                                                  | 363469       |
| Telangana                 | 54136                                                                | 556                                                                  | 29707                                                                | 489                                                                  | 3544                                                                 | 41                                                                   | 47894                                                                | 401                                                                  | 136768       |
| Tripura                   | 877                                                                  | 24                                                                   | 4314                                                                 | 314                                                                  | 49                                                                   | 4                                                                    | 5523                                                                 | 124                                                                  | 11229        |
|                           |                                                                      |                                                                      |                                                                      |                                                                      |                                                                      |                                                                      |                                                                      |                                                                      | 508588       |
| Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand | 108811 18243                                                         | 5308 562                                                             | 41870 26974                                                          | 3889 1106                                                            | 95704 3495                                                           | 2523 127                                                             | 245343 16965                                                         | 5140 293                                                             | 67765 547685 |
| West Bengal               | 30720                                                                | 2861                                                                 | 321816                                                               | 70172                                                                | 10096                                                                | 878                                                                  | 105090                                                               | 6052                                                                 |              |

Parameters

| Date :     | 26/07/2021                     |
|------------|--------------------------------|
| Time       | 15:07                          |
| Period     | JAN,2020-2021 - JUNE,2021-2022 |
| Sub Type : |                                |
| Location : |                                |
| Category   |                                |

## Annexure - III

## Number of Licensed Blood Banks in India State/UT wise upto Dec2020

| S.NO   | NAME OF STATE        | Public including Govt. Blood Banks   | Private including charitable trust Blood Banks   |   TOTAL |
|--------|----------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|---------|
| 1      | Andaman & Nicobar    | 02                                   | 01                                               |      03 |
| 2      | Andhra Pradesh       | 41                                   | 153                                              |     194 |
| 3      | Arunachal Pradesh    | 12                                   | 01                                               |      13 |
| 4      | Assam                | 45                                   | 36                                               |      81 |
| 5      | Bihar                | 40                                   | 52                                               |      92 |
| 6      | Chandigarh           | 03                                   | 01                                               |      04 |
| 7      | Chhattisgarh         | 35                                   | 59                                               |      94 |
| 8      | Dadra & Nagar Haveli | -                                    | 01                                               |      01 |
| 9      | Daman & Diu          | 02                                   | -                                                |      02 |
| 10     | NCT of Delhi         | 23                                   | 52                                               |      75 |
| 11     | Goa                  | 03                                   | 02                                               |       5 |
| 12     | Gujarat              | 30                                   | 142                                              |     172 |
| 13     | Haryana              | 26                                   | 100                                              |     126 |
| 14     | Himachal Pradesh     | 20                                   | 04                                               |      24 |
| 15     | Jammu & Kashmir      | 30                                   | 06                                               |      36 |
| 16     | Jharkhand            | 33                                   | 28                                               |      61 |
| 17     | Karnataka            | 42                                   | 209                                              |     251 |
| 18     | Kerala               | 50                                   | 143                                              |     193 |
| 19     | Lakshadweep          | 01                                   | -                                                |      01 |
| 20     | Madhya Pradesh       | 70                                   | 96                                               |     166 |
| 21     | Maharashtra          | 76                                   | 276                                              |     352 |
| 22     | Manipur              | 04                                   | 01                                               |      05 |
| 23     | Meghalaya            | 07                                   | 02                                               |      09 |
| 24     | Mizoram              | 09                                   | 02                                               |      11 |
| 25     | Nagaland             | 05                                   | -                                                |      05 |
| 26     | Odisha               | 63                                   | 24                                               |      87 |
| 27     | Pondicherry          | 04                                   | 12                                               |      16 |
| 28     | Punjab               | 51                                   | 84                                               |     135 |
| 29     | Rajasthan            | 65                                   | 104                                              |     169 |
| 30     | Sikkim               | 04                                   | 02                                               |      06 |
| 31     | Tamil Nadu           | 104                                  | 208                                              |     312 |
| 32     | Telangana            | 65                                   | 160                                              |     225 |
| 33     | Tripura              | 11                                   | 02                                               |      13 |
| 34     | Uttar Pradesh        | 112                                  | 256                                              |     368 |
| 35     | Uttarakhand          | 24                                   | 23                                               |      47 |
| 36     | West Bengal          | 103                                  | 43                                               |     146 |
|        | Total                | 1215                                 | 2285                                             |    3500 |

## Annexure IV

## Districts without Blood Banks (As on Dec. 2020)

| Sr. No.   | Name of State/UT   |   No. of Districts without Blood Banks | Names of Districts without Blood Banks                                                                                                    |
|-----------|--------------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1         | Arunachal Pradesh  |                                     14 | Kamle, PakkeKesang, Shi Yomi, Lapa Rada, Lohit, East Kameng, Kra-daadi, Siang, Lower Siang, Namsai, Debang Valley, Anjaw, Tirap, Longding |
| 2         | Assam              |                                      5 | Manchachar and South Salmara, Charaideo, Hojai, West KarbiAnglong, Kamrup rural                                                           |
| 3         | Bihar              |                                      5 | Arwal, Araria, Supoul, Banka, Sheohar                                                                                                     |
| 4         | Chattisgarh        |                                      1 | Gourella-Marwaha-Pedra                                                                                                                    |
| 5         | Gujarat            |                                      2 | Mahisagar, Dang                                                                                                                           |
| 6         | Haryana            |                                      1 | Charkhi Dadri                                                                                                                             |
| 7         | Himachal Pradesh   |                                      1 | Lahaul Spiti                                                                                                                              |
| 7         | Jammu and Kashmir  |                                      4 | Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian, Reasi                                                                                                      |
| 8         | Madhya Pradesh     |                                      2 | Agar Malwa, Niwadi                                                                                                                        |
| 9         | Manipur            |                                     12 | Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Bishnupur, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Kanjong, Noney, Pherzawl                      |
| 10        | Meghalaya          |                                      7 | West Khasi Hills, South-West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, South West Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills  |
| 11        | Nagaland           |                                      9 | Peren, Kiphire, Longlen, Mon, Wokha, Phek, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Noklak                                                                    |
|           | TOTAL              |                                     63 |                                                                                                                                           |