Bhubaneswar/Bargarh: An inspiring initiative to increase women’s participation in voluntary blood donation has emerged in Bargarh district of western Odisha. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, an effort undertaken by the Nehru Association Mahila Samiti to motivate women to donate blood has delivered a strong message of social awareness. A women-only voluntary blood donation camp organised on February 28 and the felicitation ceremony held on March 8 to honour those women donors together have created a renewed enthusiasm among women in the district towards blood donation.
Although the overall number of voluntary blood donors in Bargarh district has been increasing steadily, women’s participation has remained significantly low. According to data from 2023, a total of 19,158 donors donated blood in Bargarh, but only 977 of them were women. This means that women accounted for just 5.2 percent of the total donors, clearly reflecting a gender imbalance in the district. During 2024–2025, the rate increased by only about 3 percent to nearly 8 percent, which still remains a matter of concern.
At the state level, according to the 2022–2023 report of the National AIDS Control Organisation and the National Blood Transfusion Council, nearly 9 to 10 lakh units of blood are collected annually in Odisha. However, women’s participation in this collection remains limited to around 8 to 12 percent. Earlier, when the annual collection ranged between 6 to 7 lakh units, women’s participation was only around 6 to 8 percent. This indicates that although the overall collection has increased, gender disparity in blood donation still persists.
Against this backdrop, an awareness-oriented women-only blood donation camp was organised on February 28 by the Nehru Association Mahila Samiti. Women from various sections of society including teachers and students from different educational institutions voluntarily participated in the camp, and a total of 33 women donated blood. As most of them were first-time donors, the camp created a new sense of confidence and motivation among women regarding blood donation.
While inaugurating the camp, Bargarh MLA Ashwini Sarangi said, “It is a matter of pride for us that for the first time in Odisha a women-only blood donation camp has been organised in Bargarh. This is a historic initiative. The number of participants does not matter because blood donation is the highest service to humanity. If women come forward, the district’s health security will become stronger.” He also called for greater emphasis on anemia control and nutrition awareness.
Health expert Dr. Ajit Kumar Darjee explained that anemia, nutritional deficiency, family responsibilities and low hemoglobin levels often discourage women from donating blood. However, he said that with the combined efforts of the government, educational institutions and voluntary organisations, voluntary blood donation is gradually increasing. He expressed the view that greater participation of women in Bargarh could give a new direction to the district’s health indicators and that such initiatives would certainly inspire more women to come forward.
To make this inspiring initiative more meaningful, a felicitation ceremony for voluntary women blood donors was organised on March 8 on the occasion of International Women’s Day at the Nehru Association premises. The programme was conducted in a dignified and meaningful atmosphere. The event began with the traditional lighting of the lamp and a warm welcome to the guests who were honoured with bouquets.
On this occasion, committee president Sushama Bhoi delivered the welcome address and spoke about the objective of the programme while highlighting the importance of humanitarian service by women and the noble act of blood donation in society. The 33 voluntary women donors who had donated blood at the women-only camp organised on February 28 were honoured during the ceremony with mementos in recognition of their humanitarian contribution to society.
Assistant Professor of Panchayat College and Keynote Speaker Dr. Prabhasini described International Women’s Day as a pledge of commitment and highlighted the extraordinary role of women in building society.
Distinguished Guest and noted Gynecologist Dr. Sheetal Agrawal said that according to medical science, blood donation by women helps maintain a balanced level of iron in the body, improves blood circulation and reduces the risk of certain heart diseases. She said that it also helps the body produce new blood cells and provides an opportunity for regular health check-ups. She added that although blood collection in Odisha has increased, women’s participation remains low and this is a matter of concern for the healthcare system. She emphasised the need to expand such awareness initiatives on a wider scale.
Chief guest & President Bargarh Zilla Parishad Mrs Manini Bhoi, in her address, described blood donation as an important dimension of women’s empowerment and appreciated the leading role of women in social service.
On the occasion, Sankalpa Pariwar, Nistha Pariwar and FOR organisations, which have been organising blood donation camps in Bargarh district for many years and have helped save thousands of lives while inspiring others to donate blood, were also felicitated.
Meenakshi Mishra, Chairman of FOR, said that although they have organised hundreds of blood donation camps so far, the initiative of a women-only blood donation camp by the Nehru Association Mahila Samiti would certainly create a new chapter in women’s blood donation.
Anupama Mishra, secretary of the Mahila Samiti, said that this was only the beginning and that the initiative would be continued and expanded first across the town and later to rural areas.
During the programme, committee members Shibani Bhoi and Ruby Nanda conducted the proceedings while advisor Kalyani Dash, vice president Reena Behera, joint secretary Pushpamitra Pradhan, members Manorama Dash, Pinki Nanda, Laxmipriya Bishi, Pranati Behera and Saudamini Sahu played key roles in successfully organising the event. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Subhadra Rao, who expressed gratitude to everyone for their participation.
The women-only blood donation camp and the felicitation of the women donors together have created a new wave of awareness and inspiration among women in Bargarh regarding blood donation. With greater social awareness and proper health information, there is hope that many more women will come forward in the coming days to participate in this noble humanitarian act.
