Pune: In a major step toward streamlining blood donation and distribution, the central government has launched the E-RaktKosh portal, which will help patients in Maharashtra access real-time information on blood stock, donation camps, and nearby blood banks.
This initiative is expected to significantly ease the burden on patients suffering from blood-related disorders such as thalassemia, hemophilia, and sickle cell disease, who often struggle to find timely blood transfusions. Now, with a single click, they can check blood availability in different blood banks across the state.
The initiative has been introduced under the leadership of Maharashtra’s Health Minister, Prakash Abitkar. Maharashtra has an extensive network of 395 blood banks, including those run by the government, semi-government bodies, trusts, corporations, and private entities.
The E-RaktKosh portal will enable patients and their families to access blood stock information through their mobile devices, ensuring that those in urgent need of transfusions can locate blood quickly.
Helping Patients with Rare Blood Groups
One of the key benefits of the E-RaktKosh portal is its ability to help patients with rare negative blood groups find blood without unnecessary delays. The portal will also allow blood donors to locate the nearest blood donation centers and blood banks, as well as stay updated on upcoming blood donation camps.
Maharashtra Leads in Blood Collection
Maharashtra currently ranks first in India in terms of blood collection. In the previous year alone, around 21 lakh (2.1 million) individuals donated blood in the state. The collected blood has been utilized to generate a variety of essential blood components, including packed red blood cells, platelet concentrate, and fresh frozen plasma, which are crucial for treating critically ill patients.
