 Early Times Report
CHANDIGARH, Aug 20: Urging the society to take the noble spirit of voluntary donation beyond blood, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Thursday called upon voluntary blood donors and the youth to come forward and take a pledge for organ donation, emphasising that donating organs after brain death can grant a fresh lease of life to multiple critically ill patients. Presiding over the State-Level NGO Conference organised by the Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council (PSBTC) at Municipal Bhawan here, the Health Minister lauded voluntary organisations and social workers as "angels of hope and messengers of God" who serve as a vital lifeline between patients battling for survival and the healthcare system. During the conference, Dr Balbir Singh also felicitated 69 such voluntary blood donation NGOs securing top positions across districts for their exemplary contribution in strengthening blood transfusion services across Punjab. Highlighting major advancements in blood safety protocols, Dr Balbir Singh announced that Punjab is strengthening its blood safety system through the adoption of advanced testing technologies, including Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA). These technologies enhance the early detection of transfusion-transmitted infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C by reducing the diagnostic window period and thereby significantly minimising the residual risk of transmission. He further informed that standardised guidelines for blood collection, testing, uniform blood bag labelling and cross-matching have been issued to ensure consistent quality, traceability and safety across blood centres in the state. To avoid distress to regular donors and streamline emergency response, the Minister stressed the urgent need to maintain comprehensive, city-wise digital directories of voluntary blood donors. "Instead of calling excessive donors to camps, maintaining a dedicated city-based directory allows blood centres to immediately mobilise specific blood groups through instant alerts during critical emergencies without any wastage," he stated |
