Fact Check: Viral Message Claiming ‘Blood on Call’ Scheme by GOI Is False and Misleading
A widely circulated WhatsApp message alleges that the Government of India has launched a ‘Blood on Call’ initiative. The claim is FALSE and MISLEADING.
Claim
A message going viral on WhatsApp claims that the ‘Blood on Call’ scheme is an initiative by the Government of India. The post reads, "Government's new scheme... from today '104' becomes India's special number for blood requirement. The service is available 24x7. After calling this number, blood will be delivered within 4 hours within a 10 km radius. Cost Rs. 450 per bottle and Rs. 100 for delivery. Please forward this message to your friends, relatives, and groups. A new life can be saved through this facility."
Is GOI running a Blood on Call Scheme?
The viral message claiming that the Indian government provides blood through a "Blood on Call" scheme by dialing '104' is FALSE and MISLEADING. The Government of India is not operating such a scheme nationwide, and no official announcement has validated this specific service via the '104' helpline.
A message that has been widely forwarded on social media claims that, “Government's new scheme... from today, '104' becomes India's special number for blood requirement. The service is allegedly paid and available within 4 hours.” The claim appears to suggest that the government has launched a centralized, pan-India "Blood on Call" service through the '104' health helpline.
However, there is no official communication from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare or any state or central government authority confirming such a scheme.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check, the government’s official fact-checking arm, has debunked this claim as misleading. In its post, PIB clearly stated, "GOI is NOT running the ‘Blood on Call’ scheme." The post is captioned as "Claim: Govt. of India has launched a pan-India helpline number 1⃣0⃣4⃣ "Blood on Call" to meet the requirement for blood
#PIBFactCheck
☑️This claim is #misleading
☑️GOI is not running any such scheme !!
☑️This number is used for various helpline services in some states"
The number '104' serves as a health helpline in several Indian states, offering general medical advice, counselling, and information on public health schemes. Launched under the National Health Mission, its services vary across states and typically include phone-based consultations, guidance on mental health and substance use, and details on government healthcare programs. However, it is not designed or mandated at the national level to provide emergency blood supply or paid blood delivery within four hours.
Multiple media outlets reported on the claim addressed by PIB. Latestly released a report titled "PM Narendra Modi-Led Government Launched Pan-India Helpline Number 104 ‘Blood on Call’ Service To Meet Blood Requirement? PIB Fact Check Debunks Misleading Claim" Similarly, The Statesman shared a post on X stating, "Centre debunks viral claim about 104 for blood-on-call service"
This establishes that the claim is entirely false and stems from a doctored media image intended to misinform the public.
Medical Dialogues Final Take
The viral message suggesting that the Indian government provides blood on call via the number ‘104’ is misleading and lacks official backing. While '104' is a legitimate health helpline in some states, it does not function as a blood delivery or supply service. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has officially debunked this claim, confirming that the Government of India is not running such a nationwide scheme.
Hence, the claim is FALSE and MISLEADING.
