Online blood donation portal launched

New Delhi: HEALTHCARE services underwent severe strain due to Covid-19 second wave since March 25, with many medical institutions marred with limited supplies of life saving resources such as essential drugs and blood. To ensure a steady availability during pandemic, Blood For India has launched one-stop online platform that citizens across the country can use to register for blood donation.

The initiative has been launched to avoid uncertainties that might risk shortage of blood for patients with chronic illnesses like cancer and thalassemia, jointly by Naturals and non-profit partners BloodConnect and Think Foundation.

"This initiative is a committed effort to bring blood sufficiency in the country. It will bring relief to a large number of patients who are suffering from various medical conditions, and are in need of blood and its components. Looking at our struggle for the past one year, I feel that this social initiative is the need of the hour, and will be appreciated by all organisations working for the cause of voluntary blood donation," says Vinay Shetty, Vice President, Think Foundation.

Siddhant Kamath, Director, Naturals Ice Cream, said that initiating a solution like this is the need of the hour. The initiative aims to create a two-way path between blood banks and the common man.

To participate in the blood donation drive, one can register to collaborate to donate or to host a camp. Donors can find information about the nearest camp in their locality by selecting their area pin-code. After registration, other details such as eligibility criteria, general Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) appear to the volunteers, along with Covid-related queries. The volunteers are informed about appointment via email.

"With utmost importance given to spreading awareness among the youth during this period, online awareness sessions are organised in institutes such as BITS Pilani, Delhi Technical University and IIT Jodhpur among others," said Harsh Chaudhary, Executive Vice-President, BloodConnect Foundation, India.