Staff Correspondent: Bangladesh’s young population can play a major role in meeting the country’s blood demand if young people come forward to donate blood voluntarily at least once a year, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam said on Tuesday.

He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony organised to honour voluntary blood donors at IDEB Bhaban in the capital.

The vice-chancellor said young people account for around 28 per cent of the country’s population, representing a significant pool of potential blood donors.

He described voluntary blood donation as a practical expression of social responsibility and patriotism, saying that serving people and standing beside those in need was more meaningful than merely expressing patriotic sentiments.

“The contribution of blood donors to meeting the country’s overall blood demand will be written in letters of gold,” he said.

Quantum Foundation organised the ceremony as part of its regular programme to recognise people who have donated blood at least three, 10, 25 or 50 times. More than 300 voluntary donors were honoured with certificates, crests and medals for their contribution.

East West University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Ashik Mosaddak chaired the event, while M Rezaul Hasan, director of the voluntary blood donation programme, also spoke.

Speakers said Quantum Lab has built a donor pool of more than 550,000 people and, between 2000 and August 2026, has supplied blood and blood components that helped save the lives of more than 1.8 million critically ill patients.

Among the registered donors, 196 are classified as Platinum donors for giving blood 50 or more times, while 3,138 are Golden donors, having donated 25 to 49 times.

Another 13,083 donors have given blood 10 to 24 times and are recognised as Silver donors. More than 58,000 are Lifelong donors who have donated at least three times.

Several donors and recipients also shared their experiences at the event. Kazi Hasan Ali, a 51-time Platinum donor, and Rejeka Sultana, a 26-time Golden donor, spoke about their experiences of repeated voluntary donation. Masuma Hossain Tonni, a regular blood recipient living with thalassaemia, also shared her experience.

The organisers urged more young people to take up voluntary blood donation as a regular humanitarian service, saying broader youth participation could help Bangladesh move closer to meeting its overall blood requirement.