Blood to be provided free of cost at all government hospitals in Punjab from Jan 1

Blood will be provided free of cost in government-run hospitals across Punjab from New Year's Day, Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra said Monday.

As part of 'Tandarust Punjab', all government hospitals across the state will provide blood and blood components free of cost to patients, a statement quoted Mohindra as saying.

"Not only shall be blood provided free of cost, it will also be ensured that the blood is available round- the-clock in all the hospitals," the minister said.

Mohindra said the move would benefit thousands of patients across the state who earlier had to pay processing charges of Rs 300 per unit in civil hospitals and Rs 500 per unit in government medical colleges.

"From tomorrow blood and blood components like packed RBC, fresh frozen plasma, platelet rich plasma, platelet concentrate will be given free of cost to all the patients," he said.

He added, "Through Tandarust Punjab Mission, the chief minister of Punjab has taken this vital decision for the poor and downtrodden sections of the society."