Arun V J: Why Has India Still Not Achieved 100% Voluntary Blood Donation?
Arun V J, Specialist at MVR Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Member of International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) and ADRP: The Association for Blood Donor Professionals, Doctor at Malabar Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“I have spent years asking people to donate blood, and I still don’t fully understand why I have to ask.
Every state in India has its own story with voluntary blood donation, some doing remarkably well and some still stuck in the replacement era, and yet as a nation we have never managed to reach 100%. Not once.
This is a completely personal opinion, but I think it comes down to two things: culture and fear.
I have met people who look me in the eye and ask why they should donate, and then argue with me about it as if I had asked for their house.
I have met people who are deeply suspicious of the whole process.
I have seen people use blood to make money illegally.
And I have seen people be plainly, shamelessly unethical with something that was given for free.
Blood donation is about saving a life, a life every bit as precious as yours. So why do we have to force, beg or motivate anyone to do it?
We have evolved enough to put a computer in every pocket, but somehow helping a stranger still hasn’t become part of who we are. As a society, we have failed at times. Let’s just admit it.
I think it starts young. From childhood we are taught to protect what is ‘ours’, and we are taught not to trust strangers. Then one day someone asks us to give a part of ourselves to a stranger we will never meet. Of course the brain resists.
But here’s the good news. We are doing much better. The younger generation, Gen Z especially, is compassionate and has the guts to stand up for what they believe is right and fight what is wrong. Our culture is changing, and I wholeheartedly welcome every change that makes us better.
So tell me honestly: what stopped you from donating the first time? Or what finally made you do it?”
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