Fact Check: Has the Government Launched a Pan-India ‘Blood on Call’ Helpline Number 104?

Claim

A viral WhatsApp and social media message claims that the Government of India has launched a nationwide ‘Blood on Call’ helpline (104) to deliver blood to citizens for a fee.

Introduction

A message circulating on WhatsApp and other platforms suggests that citizens can dial 104 to request blood, which would then be delivered to them within hours. The message claims this is part of a pan-India initiative by the central government. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check team has reviewed the claim and issued a clarification.

What is the Claim?

The viral message states that the Government of India has started a countrywide helpline number 104 called ‘Blood on Call’, where people can request blood by paying a specific charge.

What Are the Facts?

• PIB Fact Check confirmed that this claim is misleading.
• The Government of India has not launched any such scheme.
• The helpline number 104 is used in some states for health-related services, but it is not linked to any central scheme for blood supply.

PIB Fact Check shared a graphic of the viral message with a red “MISLEADING” stamp to stop the spread of false information.

What We Found

True: The number 104 exists in some states as a health helpline.
False: It is not a nationwide helpline for blood supply and not run by the Government of India as a pan-India scheme.

Conclusion

The viral message about a pan-India ‘Blood on Call’ helpline (104) is misleading. The central government has not launched any such initiative. Citizens are advised to verify such claims from official sources before sharing them on social media.