State forms district panels to boost voluntary blood donation

PNS

RANCHI

In compliance with directives issued by the Jharkhand High Court, the Jharkhand government has constituted Blood Donation Awareness and Monitoring Committees (BDAMC) in all districts to strengthen voluntary blood donation, improve transparency in blood collection, and ensure an adequate supply of safe blood for patients across the state.

The newly formed committees have been tasked with promoting voluntary blood donation through regular awareness campaigns and organised blood donation drives. The initiative aims to achieve 100 per cent blood collection through voluntary donations while ensuring equitable access to blood for patients, particularly those suffering from thalassemia, sickle cell disease and other transfusion-dependent disorders.

Under the new framework, all donated blood will undergo mandatory screening for HIV, malaria, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other transfusion-transmitted infections before being made available for use. The government has also directed districts to collect blood equivalent to at least one per cent of their population every year, in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations.

To strengthen monitoring and accountability, districts will regularly update data on blood collection, storage and utilisation on the eRaktKosh digital platform. The system is expected to facilitate real-time monitoring of blood availability and improve coordination among blood banks across the state.

Each district-level Blood Donation Awareness and Monitoring Committee will be chaired by the Deputy Commissioner. Its members will include the Superintendent of Police, Deputy Development Commissioner, Divisional Forest Officer, Civil Surgeon as Member Secretary, medical officers from blood banks, the District Public Relations Officer, representatives of the Indian Medical Association, and members from the education sector.

The committees have been directed to convene meetings during the first week of every month to review progress, assess blood collection targets, and coordinate efforts among the district administration, health department and blood centres to ensure the smooth implementation of the programme.

Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar said the initiative is aimed at promoting safe blood donation, strengthening district-level blood services, and ensuring that no patient is deprived of life-saving blood due to shortages. He expressed confidence that the coordinated mechanism would help expand voluntary blood donation and improve access to safe blood across Jharkhand.