AGARTALA, October 17 (TIWN): Calling upon new blood donors to donate blood generously, today Chairman of Tripura Government Employees Association (TGEA) Subash Chandra Das said that the state has earned a very important position in the country when it comes to blood collection through voluntary blood donation camps.

There is no alternative of blood said chairman of TGEA Subash Chandra Das while speaking in a blood donation camp organized by TGEA at Gurkhabasti, here today. Mr. Das appreciated the initiative of the TEGA for organizing the blood donation camp. Of the total requirement of blood during the current financial year (2013-14), 99% was collected through voluntary donation. With the end of the year (financial year) in March, it would be 100%, he added. Saying that the voluntary blood donation movement became a festival in Tripura, the chairman urged young people to generously donate blood to save lives.

In his speech, Chairman also laid emphasis on donation of human organs posthumously. “The time has come to encourage people about donation of human organs in the line of Karnataka as the state has facilities to keep human organs after coming up two medical colleges.

A total of 75 people donated blood in the blood donation camp. According to National Aids Control Organization, only five states in India have the distinction of over 80% blood collection through voluntary donation against the national average of 55 to 60%. The states are Tripura, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Punjab and Maharashtra.

According to statistics, the state has collected 22,890 units and 24,035 units in two years- 2010 and 2011 respectively. In fact, 96 percent of the blood is being collected through voluntary blood donation camps.