The Kerala chapter of the Indian Medical Association has launched an SMS-based blood bank service.
Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy launched the service at a function here on Sunday. Under the project, people who want blood can send SMS to 9496007007 with details of blood group and pin code.
The IMA will send the list of registered donors in that particular area in reply SMS.
State president of the IMA Srikumar Vasudevan said the project would be a common platform for donors and recipients.
“The service will save precious time in emergency situations. There are many people who are willing to donate blood. They do not know where to contact. We want to use the technological advancements for the service of mankind.”
Dr. P.V. George, past national president of the IMA, said there were many misconceptions about blood donation.
“There is a need to create more awareness about blood donation among the public. Donation of blood will only improve one's health,” he noted.
The IMA has already received 50,000 entries for the SMS service, according to the organisers.
The 24-hour service provided by the IMA blood bank was a great relief for the hospitals in the district, Dr. Capt. George Varghese, director of IMA blood bank, Thissur, said. The blood bank had a capacity to store 2000 units of blood, he said.
Basic life-saving training for policemen, counselling for suicide prevention, disaster management, immunisation drive are the other major services of the IMA.
