Punjab Health Minister Urges Blood Donors and Youth to Pledge for Organ Donation
CHANDIGARH, August 20: Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh has appealed to voluntary blood donors and young people across the state to extend the spirit of blood donation towards organ donation, highlighting how organ donation after brain death can save multiple critically ill patients.
Addressing the State-Level NGO Conference organised by the Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council (PSBTC) at Municipal Bhawan, Chandigarh, the Health Minister praised voluntary organisations and social workers for their contribution to strengthening blood transfusion services in Punjab.
69 Blood Donation Organisations Felicitated
During the conference, 69 voluntary blood donation NGOs that secured top positions across different districts were felicitated for their outstanding contribution to voluntary blood donation and blood transfusion services.
Dr Balbir Singh described voluntary organisations and social workers as “angels of hope and messengers of God”, appreciating their role in connecting patients in critical need with the healthcare system.
Advanced NAT and CLIA Testing to Strengthen Blood Safety
The Health Minister announced that Punjab is strengthening its blood safety system through advanced testing technologies, including Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA).
According to the Minister, these technologies can improve the early detection of transfusion-transmitted infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C by reducing the diagnostic window period and lowering the residual risk of transmission.
The state has also issued standardised guidelines covering blood collection, testing, blood bag labelling and cross-matching to ensure better quality, traceability and safety across blood centres.
City-Wise Digital Blood Donor Directories Proposed
Dr Balbir Singh stressed the importance of maintaining comprehensive city-wise digital directories of voluntary blood donors.
He said that instead of repeatedly calling large numbers of donors to blood donation camps, blood centres should maintain dedicated databases that can help mobilise donors with specific blood groups quickly during emergencies. This approach can also help reduce unnecessary donor mobilisation and prevent wastage.
Punjab Collects Over 5.44 Lakh Blood Units in 2025–26
Punjab currently has 201 licensed blood centres, including 51 government, 7 military and 143 private or trust-run centres.
During the 2025–26 financial year, the state collected 5,44,167 units of blood. Between April and July 2026, another 1,84,194 units were collected through 2,065 voluntary blood donation camps, recording a voluntary donation rate of 96.04%.
Modern apheresis facilities are currently operational at 17 blood centres across 13 districts, with plans to expand the facilities to the remaining districts.
Health Minister Appeals for Organ Donation
Dr Balbir Singh also highlighted the progress of the recently established Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS), which has conducted three liver transplants in the government sector within 15 days at around one-third of the market cost.
The institute is also expected to begin kidney transplant services in the coming months.
The Minister urged citizens and families to proactively pledge their organs so that, in cases of brain death, organs such as the kidneys, liver and corneas can help save the lives of critically ill patients.
Focus on Anaemia Among Young Women
The Health Minister also raised concern over anaemia among young women and urged young people and prospective couples to adopt healthier lifestyles.
He encouraged regular exercise, nutritious natural foods and healthy dietary habits to help prevent anaemia and lifestyle-related diseases. The Health Department, in collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Food and Drugs Administration, has also issued specialised dietary advisories for women and sportspersons.
Punjab Leads in Repeat Voluntary Blood Donation
Dr RR Sharma, Professor and Head of the Department of Transfusion Medicine at PGIMER, Chandigarh, said Punjab officially ranks third in India in voluntary blood donation but ranks first in terms of repeat voluntary blood donors.
He said nearly 80% of blood donors in Punjab are repeat donors, reflecting the state’s strong culture of regular voluntary blood donation.
Health experts including Dr Suchet Sachdev, Dr Paramjit Kaur, Dr Sangeeta Kumari and Dr Aikaj Jindal also shared their views on blood safety and donor mobilisation.
Senior officials including Special Secretary Health-cum-Project Director PSACS Sakshi Sawhney, Principal GMCH-32 Dr Ravneet Kaur, Additional Project Director PSACS Dr Vishal Garg and Joint Director Blood Transfusion Services Dr Sunita Devi were also present.
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