State to have three more Blood Banks
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 01 2013:
Keeping its commitment towards development of health care sector, Government of Manipur is all set to open three new blood banks, one each at Thoubal District Hospital, Senapati District Hospital and Moreh Hospital as soon as possible, Phungzathang Tonsing, Minister for Health and Family Welfare announced today.
He was speaking on the occasion of National Voluntary Blood Donation Day at Multipurpose Hall, D..MCampus.
The observance function was organized by Manipur State AIDS Control Society and State Blood Transfusion Council under the theme 'Voluntary blood donation will cost you nothing but it will save a life' .
Phungzathang, who attended the function as Chief Guest, acknowledged that there is shortage of blood in Manipur due to lack of blood banks.
At present, there are only three blood banks at JNIMS, RIMS and Churchandpur District Hospital which are serving the patients when they need blood.
However, after the Government has come to know about this, it has made necessary arrangement for setting up three more new blood banks, one each at Thoubal district hospital, Senapati district hospital and Moreh hospital, the Minister informed.
He went on to day that opening of new blood banks is not a tough thing but ensuring available of blood in the banks is very tough thing.
Without the contribution of voluntary blood owners, a blood bank cannot be successful.
So, awareness among the people on the need for regular blood donation is very important for a successful health care sector.
Everyone should think and understand that to get a chance of donating blood is a lucky moment because anybody cannot donate blood as and when they desire.
There are certain criteria that need to be fulfilled before one can think of donating blood.
Nonetheless, everybody needs to take a chance of donating blood to save someone's life, he exhorted.
Delivering the presidential address, Dr.Suhel Akhtar, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare explained that people between the age of 18 to 65 years and who are free from any disease and maintained body weight of 45 Kg at least can donate blood once every three months.
Even though medical science is said to have developed so much, scientists have not been able to develop alternative to blood.
The only source of blood for the use in medical treatment is human being, he added.
Shyamlal Poonia, Project Director of Manipur State AIDS Control Society and Dr Ch Ibohal Singh, Programme Co Ordinator, NSS Cell Manipur University were also present on the occasion as Guests of Honour.