State Health minister Banna Gupta on Sunday donated blood at a camp organised by Arpan, a city-based philanthropic outfit at the Red Cross Bhavan in Sakchi.

Gupta who was the chief guest, donated blood soon after inaugurating the camp which had set a target of collecting over 1,000 units of blood.

Chief patron of the outfit Amarpreet Singh Kale, Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato and several social workers were present at the camp to inspire and motivate people to donate blood for a noble cause.

Despite the lockdown the blood donation camp witnessed a large turnout of donors.

The organisers confirmed that 905 units of blood were collected at the camp which is a record collection by any outfit in the state during the last one-and-half years of the pandemic.

Even those getting Covid-19 vaccination a fortnight ago were eligible for donating blood at the camp which was assisted by volunteers and staff of Jamshedpur Blood Bank and Voluntary Blood Donor's Association.

"The purpose of organising such a mega blood donation camp was to overcome the crisis of blood usually seen during this time of the season. Our objective is to provide blood timely to the poor and needy patients both in private and government hospitals. Because of the lockdown several other donors could not turn up,” said Amarpreet Singh, who is also the founder of the six-year old outfit.

The outfit has been organising such a blood camp for the sixth year in a row. Last year too, the outfit has organised a blood camp during the pandemic.

In his brief address the health minister thanked the outfit for organising the camp and the donors for donating their blood for a noble cause.

"The rate of blood donation is very high in Jamshedpur as compared to other cities, thanks to the enthusiasm of the blood donors who despite a lockdown had turned up in such large numbers," said the minister.

The philanthropic outfit also distributed 2,100 saplings on the occasion.

The blood camp which kicked off at 9 am continued till 5 in the evening.