As part of its preparations for National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on October 1, the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) has decided to achieve a 15-20 per cent increase in the number of voluntary blood donors from the current level of 5.09 lakh units.

The decision was taken at a meeting held by the State Blood Transfusion Council chaired by Dr Subhash Salunkhe, Director General, Directorate of Health Services.

Dr Sanjay Jadhav, Assistant Director, Directorate of Health Services said, "As part of our strategy to carry out an extensive blood donation awareness drive, we plan to raise the number of voluntary blood donors for the current year from 5.09 lakh units (67 per cent) to nearly 6.1-6.2 lakh units (80 -85 percent). Maharashtra requires nearly 7.6 lakh units of blood annually."

Of the remaining 33 per cent of the donors who constitute the replacement category of donors, an attempt will be made by the State Blood Transfusion Council to convert a majority of them to voluntary blood donors, asserts Dr Jadhav.

To support the cause, the SBTC has decided to form a state level voluntary blood donation committee, comprising of noted dignitaries and emissaries who would be required to render aid to the noble cause.

According to Dr Jadhav, the committee led by the chief minister along with other senior gazette officers will play a key role in deliberating on the significance of voluntary blood donation to the citizens. "This would involve them by taking active part in seminars, blood donation drives and awareness campaigns," he confirmed

The other activities that have been incorporated by the SBTC for bringing about an increase in the number of voluntary donors and dispiriting the need for replacement donors include;

- Every blood bank in the state would be required to organize voluntary blood donation camps during the whole celebrity month (October)

- Approaching various art colleges throughout the state and with help from commercial artists prepare posters, drawings and banners. These paintings would be further exhibited at different colleges, schools and other public places.

- Display hoardings at various stations and petrol pumps, and

- Roping in actors and celebrities who would deliver informative messages through the help of media.

In addition to the above, pre-launch initiatives have already been started. Voluntary organizations like the Red Cross and the Rotary Club of Bombay have already started organizing blood donation camps. Pamphlets and informative booklets are also being circulated.

Dr Jadhav is confident that by the year-end, a sizeable number of replacement donors would be converted to voluntary donors. With the increase in number of voluntary donors and blood donation camps, Dr Jadhav is positive that the blood shortage that the state is facing currently would disappear.