LUCKNOW: To facilitate patients with requirement of blood, the state medical education department will soon launch a centralized portal to provide real-time information about the number of units available in blood banks across the state.
Speaking at a programme organised by KGMU’s blood and transfusion medicine department on World AIDS Day to raise awareness about AIDS and voluntary blood donation, secretary, medical education, GS Priyadarshi, said the portal would help people directly contact blood banks for blood.
“We often find that family members of patients in need of blood don’t know whom to contact. They are unable to find out if units of a particular blood group are available in blood banks,” he said.
“We are working on a centralised portal that will display information about the number of units available in every blood bank along with contact details. People will be able to directly contact the blood banks,” he added. Meanwhile, a rally, flagged off by Governor Anandiben Patel, was taken out from Raj Bhawan to GPO crossing.
Holding placards displaying AIDS awareness messages and benefits of blood donation, around 200 students from various schools across the city took part in the rally. A band marched alongside the students and played patriotic songs. Earlier, a group of 13 students presented a street play depicting the importance of voluntary blood donation.
The Governor appreciated the play and said every college should organise voluntary blood donation camps even if only 10 students were willing to donate. She also gave gifts to 15 HIV negative children of HIV positive parents.
Medical education minister Suresh Khanna said, “We have been successful in curbing HIV through several interventions. Such awareness programmes should happen regularly as they help in busting myths and promoting blood donation.”
KGMU vice-chancellor Prof Lt Gen (retd) Bipin Puri said, “HIV claimed seven lakh lives and infected 15 lakh people in 2020 across India. The rate of increase has declined, but people should not be complacent. More awareness is required to check the disease.”
