Metro India News | AMARAVATI

With voluntary blood donation accounting for 88.60 percent of total collections in the State, Medical and Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav on Sunday called upon youth to come forward in larger numbers to achieve 100 per cent voluntary blood donation.

Issuing a statement ahead of National Youth Day, the Minister said the generosity of young donors plays a decisive role in saving lives, particularly of patients suffering from critical illnesses. While the number of donors has been rising gradually each year, he stressed that demand continues to outstrip supply, making greater youth participation essential.

As part of National Youth Day celebrations on January 12, around 40 blood donation camps will be organised across the State. The Minister is scheduled to attend a donation camp at Siddhartha Medical College on Monday morning. He noted that donating blood not only contributes to social service but also provides donors with a sense of fulfilment, adding that a single unit of blood can save up to three lives.

The Minister instructed officials to intensify awareness campaigns among youth on the importance and safety of blood donation, reiterating the government’s objective of making blood collection entirely voluntary.

Briefing the Minister, Neelakantha Reddy, Project Director of the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, said that 5.34 lakh units of blood were collected in 2024-25, of which 88.60 percent was voluntary. In 2025-26, up to the end of December, 7.03 lakh units were collected, with 88.55 percent coming from voluntary donors, while the remainder was sourced from patients’ relatives.

Blood is being collected through government blood banks, the Indian Red Cross Society, charitable trusts and other institutions, totalling 394 centres across the State. Of the blood collected in 2025-26 so far, 94,262 units were utilised for mothers and infants, 73,048 units for cancer patients, 54,581 units for road accident victims, 19,161 units for sickle cell patients and 17,274 units for thalassemia patients, with the remaining units provided free of cost to other beneficiaries.

Officials noted that blood lost during donation is replenished within 24 to 48 hours, while red blood cells recover within a week. Regular donation, coupled with a balanced diet, does not cause weakness and can help regulate iron levels, reducing the risk of heart-related ailments.

Citing national data, the Minister said nearly 12,000 people die every day in the country due to the unavailability of blood and blood products. Although about 45 crore people are eligible to donate blood, over 85 percent refrain due to misconceptions. With an annual requirement of 1.5 crore units nationwide and a recurring shortfall of 10 to 40 lakh units, he said youth participation is critical to bridging the gap and saving lives.