In a bid to encourage general people to donate blood, Odisha government has decided to issue bus passes to those who do it regularly, officials said today. The decision, taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last week, said the regular blood donors may avail free travel in buses across the state. The state government will prepare a directory of blood donors according to their blood groups, the Chief minister told the meeting. Initially people with rare blood groups will be registered and a blood help line will be operational. Patnaik directed the health department for early procurement of equipment to strengthen the blood banks. He also said the state action plan for strengthening blood transfusion must be strictly followed. He also advised officials to encourage voluntary blood donation. At least 3.65 lakh units of blood were collected this year. Of it 45 per cent came from voluntary blood donors. A total of 1,206 voluntary blood donation camps were organized this year.
