Mumbai : According to World Health Organization (WHO) report, India needs 12 million units of blood annually, whereas annual collections are just nine million units. On the World Blood Donation Day (14 June, Sunday), medical fraternity encourages and appeals youngsters to donate their blood as they are the safest blood donors.
City health experts claim that safe blood saves lives but for too many patients across the country whose survival depends on blood transfusion blood transfusion is either not available or not safe. They add that today’s youngsters are quite knowledgeable and aware when it comes to the process of blood donation and post-blood donation care. However, there is a need for more youngsters to come forward to donate their blood and save lives.
Blood donation rates are 50 to 60 per cent and blood in India is collected by replacement and professional donors.
There are 2,760 registered blood banks in India as per the records of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
Dr Sunita Dube, chairperson of Medscape India, said, “Accidents, diseases, surgeries and deliveries account for loss of a large number of precious lives due to non-availability of blood. We should aim at catching youngsters so that they become our lifelong blood donors.”
