World Blood Donor day observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 14 2016: Remembering Karl Landsteiner better known as father of transfusion medicine who pioneered in distinguishing main blood groups in 1900, this year's World Blood Donor Day was observed with the theme 'Blood Connects us all' at the auditorium of Shija Hospital and Research Institute (SHRI), Health City, Langol.

The programme was organized by Life Savers Manipur and Shija Blood Bank and Transfusion Services.

World Blood Donor Day has been celebrated annually since 2004, with the aim of improving the safety and adequacy of national blood supplies by promoting a substantial increase in the number of safe, voluntary, unpaid donors who give blood regularly.

World Blood Donor day observed

The objectives are to show gratitude towards blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood and highlight the theme of blood connecting the people; to create wider public awareness of the need for regular blood donation, and inspire those who have not yet donated blood to start donating; to persuade countries to show appreciation to regular, voluntary, unpaid donors and commit to self-sufficiency in blood supply.

As part of the observance programme, voluntary blood donation camp was conducted where 64 donors including students of SHRI, media persons, negative and couple donors donated blood at the Shija Blood Bank and Transfusion Services.

Managing Director of SHRI Dr Kh Palin attended the formal observance programme as the chief guest while president of Life Savers Manipur Dr Th Bimol was the functional president and Director, State Blood Transfusion Council, Manipur Dr RK Roshie was the guest of honour.

Negative blood donor and couple donors were warmly applauded.

Addressing the gatherings, Dr Palin stated that with due advancement in medical science and technology, the need for blood increases many fold.

He urged people who are above 18 years of age to donate blood and take responsibility towards saving a person's life.

Dr RK Roshie added that the State needs 27,000 units of blood per year but only 21,000 units of blood are gathered from voluntary blood donors.

The enthusiasm and public awareness for blood donation is very low here in Manipur, she said.

Dr Th Bimol said the idea of blood donation should be well infused to young mind, give them platforms for blood donation by organizing blood donation camps at regular interval.

The statistics of blood donation is considerably low and it needs to be increased to meet the ever rising demand of blood, he added.

It may be mentioned that the State has five blood banks- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, RIMS; JNIMS Blood Bank and Transfusion Unit, Porompat, Churachandpur Blood Bank, Thoubal Blood Bank and Shija Blood Bank and Transfusion Services, Health City, Langol.

At the same time, blood donation camp was conducted as part of the World Blood Donor Day at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) organized by RIMS Donor Community.

Director of RIMS Dr Ch Arun attended as the chief guest, Head of Department, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion Dr A Barinder was the functional president and Prof M Amuba was the guest of honour.

Altogether, 180 voluntary donors donated blood.