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DIMAPUR — Kohima, Mokokchung and Phek districts on Friday observed World Blood Donor Day by organising blood donation camp on the theme “20 years of celebrating giving: Thank you, blood donors.”
The day is observed as a special occasion to express gratitude and appreciation to voluntary blood donors worldwide for their selfless act of donating blood. The day also highlights the importance of achieving universal access to safe blood transfusion.
Kohima: Commemorating World Blood Donor’s Day, Prof. Dr. Soumya Chakraborty, director-cum-dean of Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), Kohima, urged the people to be more conscious in giving blood to save live.
Speaking at the programme, organised by the Voluntary Blood Donors’ Association (VBDA), in collaboration with NIMSR, at the college premises, she emphasised the importance of donating blood stating that four cases required blood every month in the state. She pointed out that three out of ten cases that require blood are denied ‘because there is not enough supply.’
As a regular blood donor herself, she said donating blood is one of her most privilege days of her life. She donated on the occasion taking her blood donating count to 22. She added that she would end with 25th donation and close her account.
“It is always better to give the blood because there are accident victims, cancer patients and many other patients who need blood every moment. This awareness should be conveyed to the public,” she said.
She assured that NIMSR will be a part of the blood donation program for Nagaland as well as beyond and emphasised that they should do much more to the society.
The medical officer of Blood Centre at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), Dr. Avila Sangtam, informed that blood group of O- and AB- is very rare in the society and requested those having the same blood group to come forward to donate it.
She urged the volunteers to donate blood to save lives saying, “A little sacrifice that you made can save a patient’s life.”
Second runner-up of Miss Nagaland 2022, Jentiren Jamir, said donating blood is the most generous way to save a life. She urged the people to come forward and save life by donating blood to those in need.
She also administered a pledge for blood donation to the medical students.
A total of 41 volunteers including NIMSR students donated blood on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a new team of Voluntary Blood Doners’ Association (VBDA) for the tenure 2024-2027 was announced on the occasion. The association will be led by Burakum Ao as president, Dr. Awoto Yepthomi as vice president, Ketichu Kent as general secretary, Ainato Yeptho as chairman.
Mokokchung: The World Blood Donor Day in Mokokchung was observed at Dr. Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH), wherein a total of 26 units of blood was collected from voluntary donors.
The significance of the day was highlighted by Dr. Maongkala, medical officer at Mongsenyimti Primary Health Centre (PHC). She emphasised that World Blood Donor Day serves as a call to action, urging the community to recognise the importance of regular blood donations.
"Blood donation is a community effort. By donating regularly, we can pave the way towards building a healthier and more compassionate world," she said
The doctor also reminded the gathering of the irreplaceable value of donor blood saying, "No amount of modern science, medicine, equipment or knowledge can save lives like the 400 milliliters of donor blood. It is this blood that saves the lives of bleeding mothers, precious children and loved ones.”
She also stressed on the necessity of collaboration between the health system and the community to ensure accessibility to donors and services.
"We must work together to make sure no one dies due to a lack of blood," she urged.
While highlighting that blood donation is a selfless act with the power to transform lives, she however said that misconceptions and apprehensions often deter potential donors.
"It is crucial to promote ideas that create more awareness," she said adding “We need the donors; it is very essential because every drop of blood counts.”
Dr. Maongkala lauded the massive efforts put by the blood bank at IMDH in ensuring safe transfusion, providing a stable supply of safe blood and blood products and equipping the blood bank to provide quality care to both donors and recipients.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the Voluntary Blood Donors Association for their work in increasing voluntary blood donations and providing greater access and availability of donors for the entire populace.
Lanuakum, a regular blood donor, also spoke at the event, highlighting the personal satisfaction and sense of mission that comes with blood donation.
"Blood donation is a mission and it brings immense joy to the donors when we know that our contribution can save lives," he said
Among others, the event was attended by the district deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, Assam Rifles personnel and members from the blood donor community.
In another programme, World Blood Donor Day was celebrated at Dr. Wetshelo Memorial Hall of the District Hospital, Phek.
Speaking on the theme, Dr. Pangertemsu, junior specialist (gynaecologist), highlighted the various types of blood groups, essential dos and don’ts after donating blood, benefits of donating blood, pre and post-donation advice to the gathering comprising students and teachers from various schools of Phek town, NCC, NSS, Indian Red Cross Society, Phek branch and staffs from various vertical programmes.
The doctor went on to inform that from January 2024 to May 2024, a total of 65 persons donated blood out of which 20 were jawans from the 38 Assam Rifles, Phek town.
During the celebration, the district hospital felicitated the 38 Assam Rifles for regularly donating blood, and Michael Rhakho who “donated blood more than 20 times.”
The programme was chaired by Dr. Ngopelo Keviechu, senior medical officer, DH Phek.