A.P. Health Minister urges youth to actively participate in blood donation camps

Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav urged youth to actively participate in blood donation camps, to bring hope to people suffering from various ailments.

Participating in a 5k marathon in Vijayawada on Sunday, in connection with the birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda, the Minister said although the number of blood donors in the State has been increasing every year, the demand remains high.

Every year on January 12, on the occasion of National Youth Day, blood donation programmes are organised. Nearly 40 blood donation camps will be organised across the State at this time, he said in a statement released on Sunday. Underscoring the importance of blood donation, the Minister said one unit of blood can save three lives.

State AIDS Control Society Project Director Neelakantha Reddy briefed the Minister on blood collection and related details in the State. During the 2024-25 financial year, 5.34 lakh units of blood were collected, of which 88.6 per cent came from those who donated voluntarily.

According to the press note, in 2025, till December, 7.03 lakh units were collected, with 88.55 per cent donating the blood voluntarily.

Blood is being collected through 394 institutions, including government ones, the Red Cross Society, charitable organisations. Of the blood collected up to the end of last month in 2025-26, 94,262 units were provided to mothers and infants, 73,048 units to cancer patients, 54,581 units to road accident victims, 19,161 units to sickle cell patients, 17,274 units to thalassemia patients, and the remaining were distributed free of charge to other needy patients, Mr. Neelakantha Reddy said to the Minister.

He said that blood was required in large quantities for surgeries, trauma cases, cancer patients, and for those suffering from chronic diseases such as thalassemia and kidney ailments.