In view of widening gap between demand and supply of blood for transfusion, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Tuesday encouraged people for voluntary donation while stressing on the need to organise frequent donation camps.

"The increased number of surgeries conducted in super speciality hospitals has led to enhanced usage and demand for blood. Such blood donation camps should be organised at regular intervals to meet the rising demand," he said at the inauguration of blood donation camp and sensitisation workshop organised by Department of AIDS Control (DAC) at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

"In case of an emergency it is always the blood that takes precedence. One does not ask for the religion, caste or creed of the donor as it is blood which is needed at that time. Blood unites the whole country," the minister said.

He also suggested that along with October 1, blood donation camps should be organised on October 2 every year on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.

Azad also felicitated the centurion donors for their contribution to the cause and cited them as role models for others at the camp.

Voluntary blood collection in India has reached to 84.3 per cent in 2013 whereas in 2007 it was 54 per cent, he said.

He further stated that during the year 2012-2013, 73,668 blood donation camps were organised as against the target of 67,659 camps.

While addressing the participants Secretary, DAC, Lov Verma urged people to start donating blood at the age of 18.

He further said that youth should come forward to voluntarily donate blood and stressed on incorporating the different aspects of voluntary blood donation in school curriculum for generating awareness.

The function was also attended by Miss Universe Olivia Culpo who complimented Government of India for its AIDS control programme and called upon the youth to donate blood.