CHENNAI: Despite continuous efforts by various organisations and government to create awareness on blood donation, latest data from the World Health Organisation reveals that male blood donors outnumber female blood donors by a great margin, which is less than 10 per cent of the total blood donors.
Dr P. Vasanthamani, dean at the Kilpauk Medical College says, “There are various issues like menstruation and pregnancy, due to which women turn anaemic and do not participate in blood donation. However, lack of awareness is a major reason why women hesitate to donate blood”.
Agreeing with Dr Vasanthamani, Dr Anitha Ramesh says that though various blood donation camps are conducted at regular intervals, huge difference in male and female donors is witnessed.
“There is very low awareness about blood donation in India. People still believe that women will become weak and anaemic if they donate blood. There are various myths and superstitions associated with it,” she added.
Unhealthy dieting is one reason why women turn anaemic, which they usually take to during adolescence. Increased level of physical activity is something that women need to inculcate on a daily basis. Increased awareness of healthy eating habits is the need of the hour, say medicos.
