New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS): Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Tuesday said Oct 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) should be celebrated as voluntary blood donation day.

"Even though Oct 1 is designated as the national voluntary blood donation day, Oct 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) should be celebrated as Voluntary Blood Donation Day which should mark a week-long period for blood donation across the country," said Azad.

The minister made the announcement while inaugurating a blood donation camp at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here.

"This should be preceded with intense awareness and information, education and communication campaign to motivate and inspire people to donate blood," added Azad.

He also urged and appealed to the youth to come forward and donate blood, as according to him blood is the only unifying factor.

Highlighting that six new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences have been established and the government has approved 70 super-speciality hospitals for cancer, he said the demand for blood will go up in future with increased surgeries.