‘Be there for someone else, give blood, share life’

DIMAPUR — The realisation of the importance of blood donation may have been likely instilled in every family in Dimapur, even as there is no let-up in dengue cases with people desperately searching for blood donors.

“More people in Nagaland should come to the blood bank, volunteer to donate blood to help save precious lives and take ownership,” said Dr. Temsu, senior specialist and in-charge of District Hospital Dimapur (DHD) blood bank.

Dr. Temsu, who has been the force behind the DHD blood bank for more than a decade, made this remark during the National Voluntary Blood Donors’ Day celebration on the theme “Be there for someone else, give blood, share life,” held at the DHD blood bank centre, on Sunday.

The senior doctor disclosed that around 800-900 units of blood are collected every month at the blood bank. However, the demand for blood escalated this year due to the high number of dengue cases in Dimapur, he said.

This has also instilled a sense of urgency for more voluntary blood donation, he said, and appealed to the people to come forward and donate blood as without society’s support, the blood bank will be rendered ineffective.

Assuring that the DHD blood bank personnel are trying their best to provide optimum service, Temsu also expressed hope that dengue cases will drop within October month.

Some major donors to the blood bank include the Dimapur Gorkha Union which, according to Dr. Temsu, are the pioneers with the highest donors; Shree Agarwal Mahasabha; Server Club; Sovima village; Dimapur Bhongs; HDFC Bank; Rotary Club; JCI; Red Cross; Network of Blood donors; Muslim Council; Trinity Theological College; Haemophilia Society; Maharsi Sadguru Shadap Haldev Ashram, Dhobinala; Marwari Yuva Munch, and Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO). 

Sovima Health and Wellness Centre, which started this year, is the first village wellness centre in Nagaland with a blood facility and has so far organised three blood donation camps.

Chairman of Sovima village sub-centre management committee, Gebou Metha, told this newspaper that the blood donations from youngsters have been encouraging and overwhelming, but it is not an easy task to convince the elders to donate.

However, he expressed hope that the elders too will come forward as the committee is trying to create awareness and convince them to donate blood.

Abenjang Ao, DAYO executive member, in his address on the responsibility of civil society in blood banking, disclosed that during the past months, 80% of the blood procured by dengue patients was from the DHD blood bank.

Having experienced the need for life and life exchange through blood, he said blood knows only humanity and noted that if “we do not donate blood, the blood bank will cease to exist.” Calling upon every citizen to donate blood, Abenjang also informed that the DAYO has committed itself to open a cell and donate blood.    

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