Udupi: State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Aravinda Limbavali has emphasized the need for more and more people to come forward to donate blood considering the fact that many a times patients suffer for want of blood.

Speaking after inaugurating a blood donation camp organized by the Mogaveera Yuva Sangatane (MYS), Udupi District and G Shanker Family Trust in association with Manipal University and Udupi district administration at Shamily Auditorium Ambalpady on August 23, Thursday, the minister informed that there are 173 blood banks in the state of which 110 are run by private firms.

Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, presided over the function.G. Shanker President of G Shanker Family Trust, GK Prabhu, Registrar of  MAHE,  U R Sabhapathi, former MLA, Yashpal Suvarna, DK and Udupi district Fisheries Federation President  and others were present on the occasion.