Fact Check: 104 Helpline does not cater to blood supply, it is related to health department of various states

Each year, countries worldwide observe World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) to promote awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products and to express gratitude to voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving contributions.

A reliable blood service that ensures patients have access to safe and adequate blood supplies is essential to a strong healthcare system. The theme of World Blood Donor Day varies annually to honor the selfless individuals who donate blood to help strangers in need.

Amid this, posts are circulating on social media claiming that the Central government has launched a scheme in India for requesting blood. According to these claims, people can dial '104' for a 'Blood-on-call' service, which promises blood delivery within four hours and within a 40-kilometer radius.

Meanwhile, users on social media have shared a photo related to blood donation along with an English text, which states, government's new scheme from today. 104 becomes India's special number for blood requirement. The service is called Blood On Call.

After calling this number, blood will be delivered within 4 hours within a 40 km radius. Charges: Rs.450/- per bottle and Rs. 100/- for transportation. Please forward this message to your friends, relatives, and groups. Many lives can be saved through this facility.

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Fact Check:

There is no truth in the claim, the central government has not issued any such helpline for blood needs across the country.

If you observe the post, you will notice some unprofessional terminology. For example, blood is measured in units, but the post refers to it as "bottles." Additionally, while the Central government provides all types of primary health services free of charge, the post states that there is a transport fee of Rs 100.

Similarly, when we searched on Google, we did not find any news of such a service being implemented across the country.

On the other hand, there is no notice or mention of any such service being implemented on the website of the Health Department either.

During the investigation we found an article published by Times of India on January 7, 2022.

TOI mentioned,:A call centre for the purpose has been set up at Aundh Civil Hospital in Pune. People can dial 104 to connect the call centre with their requirements and the information will be forwarded to the respective district blood banks. The blood would be transported on motorcycles specially fitted with a cold storage facility within an hour's time to areas within a radius of 40 km," state health minister Suresh Shetty said. Citizens needing blood simply have to dial 104 and place a request at the call centre at the Aundh Civil Hospital, which will then alert the nearest district blood bank to deliver blood.

Upon further investigation, we found that the 104 helpline number is for health services in various states.

The central government's fact-checking agency PIB has also posted calling the information incorrect.

Previously, The Quint conducted a fact check on this viral and concluded that "False Claim About Calling 104 for Government's 'Blood-on-call' Service Revived"

Hence, it is proved that there is no truth in the claim. The central government has not issued any such helpline number for blood requirement. Investigation revealed that the 104 helpline number is that of the health departments of various states but not exclusively a helpline for blood supply.