T.N. is one of the leading States in voluntary blood donation: Health Minister

A total of 4.51 lakh units against a target of 4.50 lakh units was collected, achieving 101% of the target by organising 4,874 blood donation camps through voluntary blood donation camp coordinators, according to Health Minister K.G. Arunraj.

| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ

Tamil Nadu is one of the leading States in the country in the field of voluntary blood donation. Government blood banks exceeded the blood collection target fixed by the Directorate General of Health Services for 2025-2026.A total of 4.51 lakh units against a target of 4.50 lakh units was collected, achieving 101% of the target by organising 4,874 blood donation camps through voluntary blood donation camp coordinators, according to Health Minister K.G. Arunraj.Participating in World Blood Donors Day at the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Omandurar Estate on Wednesday, the Minister said that there are 101 government blood banks and 273 private blood banks in the State. There are 420 blood storage centres in Primary Health Centres. In addition, 32 mobile blood collection units, and two buses are operational in Chennai and Madurai, according to a press release.During 2025-2026, 9.53 lakh units of blood were collected through government and private blood banks. The Minister said the “e-RaktKosh” web portal was being used to monitor the functioning of blood banks in the State. “It provides information on the availability of different blood groups. The public can use this platform to easily access blood when required,” he noted.An initiative to register 1,00,000 new voluntary blood donors through the “e-RaktKosh” portal was launched on the occasion, along with the release of its QR code. In addition, a new website - www.tnsbtc.in - was launched by the Tamil Nadu State Blood Transfusion Council to promote awareness on voluntary blood donation through social media among the public.The Minister also presented certificates of appreciation to young voluntary blood donors aged 18 to 21 - men who had donated blood three times and women who had donated two times - as well as regular voluntary blood donors who had completed their 50th donation in the previous financial year.Health Secretary Darez Ahamed, project director of Tamil Nadu State Blood Transfusion Council R. Seethalakshmi and directors A. Somasundaram (Public Health and Preventive Medicine) and R. Suganthy Rajakumari (Medical Education and Research) were present. Published - July 02, 2026 06:24 am IST