Mangaluru: The Yenepoya Hospital Blood Centre has proudly reintroduced its Mobile Blood Donation Bus, a vital initiative aimed at strengthening community health services and promoting voluntary blood donation across Dakshina Kannada. Originally handed over by Rotary Mangaluru in September 2023, the bus has now been fully refurbished with modern technology and safety features, enhancing donor comfort, mobility, and efficiency.

Modernised facilities for safer and smarter blood donation

The upgraded mobile unit is equipped with advanced features designed to streamline the blood donation process and maintain the highest standards of safety and care. These include:

  • Comfortable donor couches ensuring enhanced safety and hygiene.
  • Temperature-controlled storage to preserve collected blood optimally.
  • On-board rapid screening facilities for haemoglobin and blood group testing.
  • Real-time GPS tracking to support outreach coordination and timely deployment during drives.

The Mobile Blood Donation Bus will operate on a rotational schedule across urban and rural areas in collaboration with local health authorities and NGOs. Special donation camps will also be organised during national health observances and emergency situations, ensuring blood availability when it is needed most.

Inauguration and first post-refurbishment camp

The refurbished mobile unit was inaugurated by Dr Habib Rahaman A.A., Medical Superintendent, in the presence of Dr Nagaraj Shet and Dr Thalangara Mukhthar Abdulla, Assistant Medical Superintendents, and Dr M.H. Shariff, Head of the Department of Pathology.

Following the inauguration, the first mobile blood donation camp post-refurbishment was held at Sajipa on 10 November 2025, during which around 50 units of blood were collected — marking a promising start for the renewed initiative.

Strengthening service through innovation

The mobile unit reflects Yenepoya University’s broader mission to integrate innovation with community service, ensuring that no life is lost due to a lack of blood. By bringing donation facilities closer to schools, colleges, and workplaces, the project seeks to encourage more individuals, especially youth, to become regular voluntary donors.