Chandigarh, October 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab has secured third position nationally in voluntary blood donation per million population, with more than 5.44 lakh blood units collected during 2025–26, Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh said on Monday.
Addressing a state-level function at Municipal Bhawan here to mark National Voluntary Blood Donation Day, Dr Balbir Singh felicitated outstanding blood donors, voluntary donor organisations and blood centres. He also released a commemorative souvenir of the Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council (PSBTC), documenting achievements, best practices and donor contributions across the state.
The minister urged every college student in Punjab to pledge to donate blood at least once a year. He also called upon regular donors to become “Star Motivators” by encouraging more people, particularly youngsters, to join the voluntary blood donation movement.
“You have proved your commitment through your selfless deeds. Now is the time to transition from ‘Star Donors’ to ‘Star Motivators’ so that you inspire thousands of others, particularly youngsters, to come forward and save lives,” he said.
Dr Balbir Singh also directed the Health Department to intensify efforts to bring Punjab’s Hepatitis C positivity rate well below the national average. He called for rigorous screening, tracking, early linkage to treatment and strict adherence to blood safety protocols.
The minister said the government was strengthening transfusion safety through advanced Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA), aimed at reducing diagnostic window periods and preventing transmission of infections including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
Punjab currently has 198 licensed blood centres, including 49 government, seven military and 142 private or trust-run centres. During 2025–26, the state collected 5,44,167 blood units through 6,583 donation camps. Of the 1,78,382 units collected at government blood centres, 1,77,583, or nearly 99.6 per cent, came from voluntary donors. Punjab also leads the country in repeat voluntary donors, according to the Union Government’s e-RaktKosh portal.
Dr Balbir Singh said blood donation does not cause weakness or deficiency and called for regular voluntary donation to become a sustained social movement in the state.
PBG Welfare Club, Kotkapura, secured the first position among voluntary blood donation organisations after collecting and supplying 8,933 units to government blood centres. Surinder Pal of Bathinda was recognised as the leading male donor in Punjab, with 149 donations, while Harwinder Kaur of Jalandhar topped the female category with 69 donations.
The state also honoured 17 male donors who had donated more than 100 times, 18 female donors with 25 or more donations, four specially-abled donors, 12 single-donor platelet (SDP) apheresis donors and six voluntary organisations. Retired Civil Surgeon Dr Ajay Bagga received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing contribution to voluntary blood transfusion.
Patiala and Sangrur were adjudged the best-performing districts. Blood centres were also recognised for minimal discard rates, high component separation and dedicated blood supplies for thalassaemia patients. The Department of Transfusion Medicine at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and Government Medical College, Sector-32, Chandigarh, were honoured for their leadership and contribution to academic training.
The function also highlighted progress under the HIV 95–95–95 targets of the Punjab State AIDS Control Society (PSACS). Pathankot was honoured as a ‘Saksham District’, while Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Amritsar, Kapurthala, SAS Nagar (Mohali) and Bathinda were declared ‘Surakshit Districts’ for their progress.
Dr Balbir Singh said early diagnosis, prompt linkage to antiretroviral therapy, patient retention and sustained viral load suppression were critical to achieving the goal of ending AIDS in Punjab.
Special Secretary Health-cum-Project Director PSACS and Director PSBTC Sakshi Sawhney, Director Health Services Dr Hitinder Kaur, Additional Project Director PSACS Dr Vishal Garg, Joint Director BTS Dr Sunita Devi, Joint Director BSD Dr Sukhwinder Kaur, Joint Director CST Dr Harpreet Kaur, Joint Director Prevention Dr Meenu and Joint Director IEC Pavan Rekha Beri were among those present.
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