Chandigarh: To strengthen blood safety in Punjab, the state is adopting advanced testing technologies, including Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA), which enhance the early detection of transfusion-transmitted infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.Health minister Dr Balbir Singh said these technologies reduce the diagnostic window period and thereby minimise the residual risk of transmission.He stated 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.While presiding over the state-level conference organised by the Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council (PSBTC), he urged the society to take the noble spirit of voluntary donation beyond blood and called upon voluntary blood donors and the youth to come forward and take a pledge for organ donation.Felicitates blood donation NGOsDuring 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.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.Expressing pride over Punjab’s top ranking in voluntary repeat blood donations, Dr Balbir Singh said the state has built an exceptionally robust network. The state currently has 201 licensed blood centres — 51 govt, seven military, and 143 private/trust-run. In 2025–26, Punjab collected 5,44,167 units of blood, while 1,84,194 units were collected between April and July 2026 alone through 2,065 voluntary blood donation camps, achieving an impressive 96.04% voluntary donation rate. In addition, modern apheresis facilities are functioning at 17 blood centres across 13 districts, with plans underway to expand to all remaining districts.Extending the donation mission to organs, Dr Balbir Singh shared that the recently established Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS) has successfully conducted three liver transplants within a span of 15 days in the govt sector at one-third of the market cost and is set to initiate kidney transplants in the coming months. He appealed to families and citizens to proactively pledge their organs so that in tragic instances of brain death, critical organs like kidneys, liver, and corneas can save precious lives.Expressing concern over anaemia among young women, Dr Balbir Singh urged youth and prospective couples to adopt healthy dietary habits and active lifestyles, including daily exercise and natural food consumption, to eradicate anaemia and prevent lifestyle diseases. He mentioned that the Health Department, in collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Food and Drugs Administration, has issued specialised dietary advisories for women and sportspersons. .
