Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday directed the Health Department for early procurement of equipments to strengthen the blood banks.
Patnaik said the State Action Plan for strengthening Blood Transfusion Services must be strictly followed to ensure ultimate safety. He also advised officials to encourage voluntary blood donation.
The State Action Plan for ensuring safe and adequate blood was approved and a taskforce has been constituted for the purpose.
Technical specifications for equipments like blood component separation units, mobile blood vans, cooler boxes and other equipments were finalised and orders placed for purchase. Nine mobile vans would also be purchased.
As voluntary blood donation is increasing, it was decided in the meet to prepare a directory of people with their blood groups. At the initial stage people with rare blood groups will be registered and a Blood Help line will be operational. Regular calendar will be maintained for blood collection.
It was revealed in the meeting that the 3.65 lakh units of blood were collected this year, out of which 45 per cent is through voluntary blood donation. Jiban Bindu and Ama Odisha are major contributors among the voluntary donors. Jiban Bindu and the Ama Odisha collected 79,526 units and 23, 740 units respectively. A total of 1,206 voluntary blood donation camps were organised this year.
Transport Department has been asked to issue bus passes to regular donors. Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and the Health Department Principal Secretary attended the meet.