Slug: National Voluntary Blood Donation DayJaipur: Blood banks at SMS Medical College collected 97,728 units in 2025, but only 23,891 units, or 24.4%, came through voluntary donations, leaving hospitals heavily dependent on patients’ relatives and attendants for replacement donations.Of the total collection, 73,837 units were replacement donations from families and relatives of patients. The dependence adds pressure on families already dealing with medical emergencies and helps hospitals maintain stocks for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment, maternal care and other critical needs.Seven blood banks function under SMS Medical College in hospitals attached to the institute. The Department of Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine (DITM) organised 426 blood donation camps in 2025 to boost voluntary collections. Despite these efforts, voluntary donations remained below one-fourth of the total collection.DITM head Dr Dev Raj Arya said SMS Medical College hospitals cater to many patients, including trauma victims, pregnant women, surgery patients and children with thalassemia.“Despite all this, we provide blood without replacement to thalassemia patients, pregnant women and other such categories. We keep requiring blood for patients. We appeal to people who are eligible, fit and medically able to donate blood to come forward and donate blood at SMS Medical College blood banks to increase voluntary donations and meet the needs of patients,” said Arya.Officials said the college holds regular meetings with voluntary organisations, NGOs, donor networks and camp organisers to increase collections at govt blood banks. They are being encouraged to organise more camps, mobilise regular donors and expand the voluntary donor base to ensure adequate blood stocks throughout the year.
