CHANDIGARH: Reiterating the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government’s resolve to make safe blood accessible to all, Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Monday felicitated outstanding blood donors, donor organisations, and blood centres during a state-level function organised at Municipal Bhawan here to commemorate National Voluntary Blood Donation Day.
At the event, the Health Minister also celebrated Punjab’s stellar feat of securing third position across the nation in voluntary blood donation per million population on the Union Government’s e-RaktKosh portal, while leading the country in repeat voluntary donors. On this occasion, Dr Balbir Singh also released a special commemorative souvenir of the Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council (PSBTC), encapsulating the milestones, best practices, and donor achievements across the state.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Balbir Singh laid stress on four key focal areas to transform healthcare and blood transfusion services in the state. He gave a clarion call to the youth, urging that every college student must pledge to donate blood at least once a year.
He reiterated that the government is strengthening transfusion safety by introducing advanced Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chmiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) to reduce diagnostic window periods and eliminate transmission risks of infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
Patiala and Sangrur were adjudged the best-performing districts alongside honours for blood centres exhibiting minimal discard rates, highest component separations, and dedicated supplies for thalassaemia patients. The Department of Transfusion Medicine at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and Government Medical College, Sector-32, Chandigarh, were also honoured for their stellar leadership and academic training support.
