MUMBAI: The Government of Tamil Nadu, today announced that it has directed all blood banks in Tamil Nadu to use Blood Donation feature on Facebook, to reach out to voluntary donors .
There is a huge demand for blood every day all over the world. Acute shortage of voluntary blood donations can lead to lack access for many people to this critical lifeline. However, the Indian health ecosystem is undergoing transformation backed by digital technologies, helping in many ways in optimizing the process of blood donation.
The Tamil Nadu Government feels social media with its power and reach to connect people, can help to create awareness and enable voluntary blood donations. The State government has issued a directive to all blood banks and hospitals in the state to use Facebook blood donation feature, in order to bridge the gap between blood donors and nearby blood banks.
Speaking on the National Voluntary Blood Donor Day, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Tamil Nadu, Dr. C. Vijaya Baskar said “One of the biggest reasons for blood shortage is the lack of access and appropriate know how among potential donors to donate blood. We believe that Blood Donation feature on Facebook, will help us to reach out many donors and encourage them to donate. It can also be one of the fastest and seamless ways, to let donors know of critical blood needs in their areas”
All banks have gone through comprehensive training workshops to on board them on to Facebook Blood Donation feature and have learnt how about how they can connect with donors on Facebook basis their needs.
Speaking on the occasion, Manish Chopra, Director and Head of Partnerships, Facebook India said “Our Blood Donation Feature is a great example of how extraordinary opportunities emerge when people and technology connect. In the two years since its launch, over 22 million people in India have registered as blood donors on Facebook. We are also continuously working with our partners across the spectrum to help the Blood Donation feature, to be accessible for a growing number of blood donors in India. Our partnership with the Govt. of Tamil Nadu is an extension of our commitment to make sure blood banks have access to these donors / blood banks regularly and help to create safe and sustainable supply of blood.”
Launched in 2017, Blood Donation Feature on Facebook connects people willing to donate blood with opportunities nearby. People can sign up as donors on Facebook and get notified when blood banks near post about their blood requirements. Blood Donation feature was first launched in India and is now available in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brazil and in USA with over 50 million people are registered as blood donors on Facebook.
This National Voluntary Blood Donor Day, you too can give blood and save a life. Want to find a blood bank near you? It’s simple, sign-up with Facebook and find an opportunity to donate blood today. www.facebook.com/donateblood
