The Times of India          24.08.2013

NMC's blood bank to become reality

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is set to open its own blood bank for the first time aiming at helping the needy people, especially from financially weak families. Patients of sickle cell and thalassemia will be given blood free of cost.

Mayor Anil Sole said that former BJP national president Nitin Gadkari will dedicate the blood bank to public at a programme to be held on August 26. "The state-of-the-art blood bank has been established at NMC Indira Gandhi Rugnalaya at LAD Square in association with Nandkishor Shikshan Sanstha. Blood will be taken and also transfused at a time. Other types of facilities will be available. A unit of the blood bank will also be opened in east Nagpur," he said.

The standing committee, during the tenure of Sandip Joshi, had announced the plan to establish blood bank three years ago. The matter was pursued by his successors. Dayashankar Tiwari followed the proposal which will now become a reality during the tenure of Avinash Thakre.

Chairman of health consultative committee Ramesh Shingare said that the charges for blood other than sickle cell and thalassemia patients will be much lesser than the market value.