State create new record in blood donation camp: Agri Minister

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare minister Ratan Lal Nath on Sunday said that the state has set a new record in voluntary blood donation as the total units donated in the current financial year has exceeded the 42,000 mark.

“In my whole life as a legislator, I did not see such a spontaneous and overwhelming response from the end of the people of the state for blood donation. So far, I know the total blood units donated in the fiscal year 2022-23 stands at a little over 42,400. Never ever in the history of the state, voluntary blood donation camps are organized at such a scale”, Nath told media persons followed by his visit to a blood donation camp organized by Agriculture Graduate Association of Tripura.

Nath also refrained social organizations from conducting irrationally as it might later cause spoilage of the blood units. “When I was in the opposition, the highest figure of blood units donated per year was 3,700. Today the numbers are quite high because people have become more aware about the scientific aspects of blood donation and thus the superstitious beliefs no longer exist. But, we must not conduct such camps abruptly and invite hundreds of donors. A calendar must be fixed so that the authorities can strike a balance between the supply and demand chain”, Nath added.

According to Nath, after the installation of a blood separation unit here in the state, one unit of blood could be given to three patients. “The platelets have very limited life; the transfusion has to take place within five days. The Plasma component can be preserved for one year and the RBC has to be provided to a patient within 42 days. So, the department should chalk out a calendar for blood donation as per the requirement, donors will be able to donate blood units”, said Nath.