Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said 87,000 people voluntarily donated blood creating a world record on Saturday, the first day of mega blood donation drive held across India till October 1 when the country observes national voluntary blood donation day. The day coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 72nd birthday.
“Today, I am happy to share that on the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under #RaktdaanAmritMahotsav, more than 87,000 people have voluntarily donated blood, which is a new world record,” Mandaviya wrote on Twitter in Hindi. He added the counting was underway and the number would only rise.
The ambitious drive is a part of Centre’s 15-day ‘Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav,’ that is being held to create a repository of voluntary blood donors so that anyone in need can help on time and minimise the need for replacement blood donation, the officials had earlier said.
{{/usCountry}}The ambitious drive is a part of Centre’s 15-day ‘Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav,’ that is being held to create a repository of voluntary blood donors so that anyone in need can help on time and minimise the need for replacement blood donation, the officials had earlier said.
{{/usCountry}}The Union health minister also tweeted pictures of him donating blood to encourage people to become a part of the drive.
“Blood donation - great donation! Donated blood under #RaktdaanAmritMahotsav starting from today on the birthday of Prime Minister @NarendraModi. Be a part of this great work too,” his tweet read.
To facilitate the drive, the government has launched a digital platform - E-Rakt Kosh portal - where people can register themselves to become a part of the donation drive. People also have the option to register themselves on Covid-19 tracking - Arogya Setu app.
The country has 3,900 blood banks and all are being encouraged to organise at least one donation drive, the officials said.
(With agency inputs)