Berhampur: Orissa branch of the Association of Voluntary Blood Donors (AVBD) has asked the state government to reduce service charge while supplying blood to patients.
Blood banks in the state collect about Rs 280 per unit of blood as service charges, including the blood grouping charge, while supplying to patients in government hospitals.
Private hospitals charge Rs 100 more.
However, AIDS and thalassemia patients are exempted from service charge. "In West Bengal, Gujarat and Chandigarh, the service charge is very nominal or exempted," secretary of AVBD local branch J Suresh said.
He also wanted introduction of the credit card system for blood donors so that they can exchange blood at the time of need.
Suresh, also executive committee member of the Federation of Blood Donors Organisation of India, said more people would come forward to donate blood, if the government introduces credit card system.