Punjab Sets New Milestones in Healthcare Sector, Ranks Third in Blood Donation

Chandigarh: Punjab is consistently achieving significant milestones in the healthcare sector. Last month, the state secured the third position among all states and Union Territories (UTs) for its outstanding contribution to voluntary and service-oriented blood donation. This recognition reflects the increased awareness and enthusiasm of the people, following continuous efforts by the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to highlight the importance of blood donation.

Punjab was honored with this recognition by the Blood Transfusion Services (BTS), Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, during the prestigious 'India Blood Donation NGO Conclave' held on October 1, 2024, on National Voluntary Blood Donation Day in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

This achievement is based on the outstanding performance during the 2023-24 period. During this time, the council organized 11,109 blood donation camps and collected 493,000 units of blood, surpassing the target of 460,000 units set by the Government of India.

In a significant step forward in blood donation, the Punjab government also inaugurated the state’s 27th Advanced Blood Component Separation Unit and two Blood Collection and Transportation Vans at the Civil Hospital in District Mohali. These efforts ensure that not only is the population made aware of the importance of blood donation, but also that safe and careful use of donated blood is ensured.

Furthermore, in a pioneering initiative, a partnership between the Punjab Government, Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana, and India Medtronic Private Limited was announced on World Stroke Day to address the growing number of stroke cases in the state. A hub-and-spoke model for stroke care has been introduced, which aims to provide quality treatment to patients in a timely and coordinated manner.

CMC Ludhiana, a leading medical institution and India’s first Advanced Stroke Centre accredited by the World Stroke Organisation and NABH, will serve as the central hub for advanced stroke treatment. A network of government hospitals and medical colleges across the state will act as spoke centers, offering immediate care and primary services to stroke patients before referring them to the hub for advanced treatments such as mechanical thrombectomy. This initiative, which will provide stroke treatment and care services worth around Rs. 6 lakh free of cost, is a major step forward in improving stroke care and reducing the financial burden on families.