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Maharashtra Launches 15-Day Blood Donation Campaign Amid Shortage Concerns
Maharashtra is starting a 15-day campaign to encourage people to donate blood.
It will run from September 17 to October 2, 2026.
Hospitals and health institutions will hold blood donation camps and explain why donating is important.
The campaign will end on Gandhi Jayanti.
It is linked to National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on October 1.
Officials hope the drive will help blood banks recover from shortages.
However, many camps in Mumbai last year had no donors.
An activist said the Ganpati festival may make it harder to find donors.
A former Mumbai mayor has suggested a larger city-wide donation drive.
Maharashtra’s statewide voluntary blood donation campaign will run from September 17 to October 2, 2026.
The campaign will culminate on Gandhi Jayanti and support National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on October 1.
Government hospitals and health institutions have been directed to hold donation camps and awareness activities.
Officials hope the campaign will replenish blood-bank stocks, while last year’s empty camps raised concerns about donor turnout.
Chetan Kothari cited Ganpati travel as a possible reason for low participation, while Kishori Pednekar proposed a city-wide mega drive.
- Who
- The Maharashtra State Blood Transfusion Council, government health institutions, donors, and campaign organisers.
- What
- A 15-day statewide campaign to promote voluntary blood donation and address blood shortages.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, including government hospitals and health institutions; several examples concern Mumbai.
- When
- September 17 to October 2, 2026; National Voluntary Blood Donation Day is October 1.
- Why
- To increase voluntary blood donations, replenish blood-bank stocks, and respond to shortages.
Campaign Supporters
Turnout Critics
Expected impact
Campaign Supporters
The State Blood Transfusion Council expects the campaign to produce a good response and help blood banks build stocks for the following month.
Turnout Critics
Past experience, including about 43 Mumbai camps with zero donors in 2025, suggests that organising camps alone may not guarantee participation.
Mobilising donors
Campaign Supporters
Government institutions have been instructed to combine donation camps with outreach and publicity through social, print, and electronic media.
Turnout Critics
Health activist Chetan Kothari said donor and staff travel during the Ganpati festival can reduce participation, while Kishori Pednekar called for a larger city-wide mobilisation effort.
Key facts
- Campaign period
- September 17 to October 2, 2026
- Theme
- “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.”
- Lead agency
- State Blood Transfusion Council
- National observance
- National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on October 1
- Campaign culmination
- Gandhi Jayanti on October 2
- Last year’s turnout
- Around 43 Mumbai blood donation camps reportedly recorded zero donors in 2025
- Proposed city drive
- Kishori Pednekar said each elected representative could mobilise 100 donors, potentially generating more than 25,000 donations
Quotes
Chetan Kothari
Health activist commenting on donor mobilisation challenges during the campaign
“During Ganpati festival, a large number of donors and staff are out of town and this is visible in the results”
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Sources
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