GUWAHATI, June 14 - Along with the rest of the world, Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) and Assam State Blood Transfusion Council (ASBTC) observed World Blood Donor Day at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra here today.
Laying stress on this year�s theme �Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life�, Principal Secretary to the Govt of Assam, Health & FW Department Samir Sinha, termed blood donors the real heroes of society. �The act of blood donation is an act of solidarity, partnership, collective conscience, empathy and respect for mankind,� he said.
He said there is an urgent need to carry the movement forward by every individual, community and society as a whole.
Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary to the Govt of Assam, Health & Family Welfare Department, JM Patgiri said, �Blood donors are providing yeoman�s service to society, and it is our prime responsibility to encourage the donors. Blood has neither religion nor caste, and that is why a person who is in need of blood never inquires whose blood he or she has taken.�
Chairman of the Barak Valley Voluntary Blood Donors� Forum Asu Pal gave an account of the blood donation movement that first started in Mumbai in 1958, adding that in the Barak Valley it started in 2002.
�There are many districts in Assam where there is no donor organisation and unless more and more donor organisations come forward, hundred per cent voluntary blood donation will remain a distant reality,� he said.
Pal added that at every blood donation camp held on the district level, an official from the district administration must be present. He also requested the authorities to increase the fund for organising voluntary blood donation camps.
HoD of Department of Biotechnology, Bodoland University, Dr Jatin Sarma who has donated blood 39 times so far, said that anaemia being a major problem in the tribal belts of Assam, half the expected donors at a camp are found anaemic. He emphasised the role of premarital counselling in bringing down the anaemic problems due to genetic disorders.
NHM Executive Director Dr AC Baishya said that mass awareness holds the key to increasing voluntary blood donation. Lt Col CRPF Ravinder Kumar lauded the donors and said that a person who donates blood becomes an inspiration for others.
Earlier, in-charge of Blood Transfusion Services, Assam State AIDS Control Society, FA Alom Choudhury welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of the day and gave an overall view of blood donation in the State.
Altogether 22 voluntary blood donors were feted at the event. A blood donation camp was also organised at the venue.
Jorabat ANN Service adds: To mark the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner on June 14, a group of employees from the North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Jorabat today donated blood for the cancer patients in the hospital.
It may be mentioned that Karl Landsteiner was the discoverer of blood groups as well as Rh factors.
This day is observed by all the member nations of the World Health Organisation as the World Blood Donors Day.
�I am proud of my employees for taking this great decision,� said Dr MN Baruah, Managing Director of NECHRI, adding, �our employees are trained not only to provide the services to the patients but to love and respect them. We want to provide our patients a homely environment.�
Dr MN Baruah further said the donated blood would be given to patients needing blood under emergency conditions and who cannot afford a donor for replacement.
Dr TK Chakrabarty, in-charge of blood bank, conducted the donation camp. Dr Chakrabarty said in Assam, only 60 per cent blood is collected from voluntary donors. In States like Mizoram and Tripura, almost 100 per cent blood is collected from voluntary donors, said Dr Chakrabarty, adding that there is a requirement to raise awareness about blood donation in the State.
Dr Gitartha Roymedhi, in-charge of the Hospital Quality Control Management of NECHRI, has motivated the employees to come forward for blood donation.
The theme for the World Blood Donors Day 2018 is �Be there for someone else. Give blood to save lives�.
