Ahead of the World Blood Donor Day on June 14, the government has decided to enable registration of volunteers for blood donation would on the Co-WIN portal. This will give them access to a list of nearby blood banks as well as information realted to upcoming blood donation camps on the portal or on the Arogya Setu mobile application. According to officials, the initiative is part of the Centre’s efforts to promote blood donation and create awareness.
In a meeting with all the states and Union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan reviewed the preparations for World Blood Donor Day. He also urged them to raise awareness on the need for regular, non-remunerated, voluntary blood donations.
Bhushan also highlighted the need for committed, year-round blood donation to maintain adequate supplies and achieve universal and timely access to safe blood transfusion, build a sustainable and resilient national blood system and ensure that everyone who needs transfusion has access to safe blood as the country needs voluntary, unpaid blood donors who donate blood regularly.
This year, World Blood Donor Day is going to be observed on June 14. The campaign slogan for this year’s World Blood Donor Day is “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the efforts and save lives”.
Bhushan said the states should maximise the registration of blood donors, along with optimal blood collection (as the collected blood shelf life is 35-42 days) and to felicitate blood donors and pledge ceremonies at the block, district and gram panchayat levels, administered by the “sarpanch” (village head), the statement said.
The district collectors or district magistrates will supervise the activities in the districts. It was also suggested that the pledge ceremonies for blood donation can be carried out at physical events as well as through digital platforms.
For a smooth facilitation of the activities that will be carried out on the occasion, the states were advised to provide a proper facility for blood group testing on June 14 at all the primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs), sub-district hospitals, district hospitals and other blood banks.
The Union health secretary also urged the states to help people know their blood group, which will be useful in emergencies for the purpose of blood donation, the statement said.
Below are the steps that donor needs to follow for registration through Arogya Setu and its linking with E-Raktkosh: –
- Registration of volunteers for blood donation would be enabled on the Co-WIN portal.
- E-Raktkosh will serve as the Blood Centre/Laboratory interface. All blood banks will have to register on E-raktkosh.
- After donation is completed, a blood donation certificate will be generated on E-Raktkosh by blood bank and certificate would be made available to volunteer through Arogya Setu.
- The donors should have access to a list of nearby Blood Centres as well as upcoming Blood Donation Camps on Co-WIN portal/Arogya Setu for easy accessibility.
