Frequent interactions between media and associations working for voluntary blood donation a must for awareness
Source: NEPS News Service *

Kohima, June 16 2012: Dr V Khamo, MO, Blood Bank here in the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) has admitted that there was still shortage of blood in the "Blood Bank" in the Hospital (NHAK) but explained that they needed to have constant awareness campaign through various programs so that more "blood donors" would be coming forward in the future.

This was stated during a "Live Panel Discussion" under the DDK Kohima's weekly program � "Trends of Nagaland" here at the DDK Kohima Studio at 2 PM on Saturday.

The panelists who took part in today's "Live Panel Discussion" on the "The importance and value of blood donation" were Dr V Khamo, MO, Blood Bank, NHAK, Alipoker, President, Voluntary Blood Donors Association, Kohima, Oken Jeet Sandham, Editor, NEPS News Service and Maria Phom, President, Red Ribbon Club, St Joseph's College, Jakhama.

The moderator of the "the Live Discussion" was senior DDK Commentator, Toto Nurumi.

DDK Kohima Commentator Toto Nurumi (left), Dr V Khamo (2nd left), MO, Blood Bank, NHAK, Alipoker (3rd right), President, Voluntary Blood Donors Association, Kohima, Oken Jeet Sandham (2nd right), Editor, NEPS News Service and Maria Phom (right), President, Red Ribbon Club, St Joseph's College, Jakhama, seen here at the DDK Kohima Studio during "Trends of Nagaland's Live Panel Discussion" on the "The importance and value of blood donation" on Saturday

Allaying certain fears that common men used to have while donoring their bloods, Dr Khamo said anyone between the age group of 18 to 65 years having weight above 45 kg and free from STD, HIV, Hepatitis B, and C could donor their bloods.

And those who donated their blood would have no side effects and in fact they could attend to their normal duties, she explained.

The Doctor also disclosed that the bloods collected in various camps were tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and C VDRL, and Malaria and they were stored in blood bank refrigerators, and could be kept for 35 days.

The blood was then used when requested by the doctors, she added.

Alipoker, president, Voluntary Blood Donors Association, Kohima, highlighted various activities their Association had initiated.

He said they used to organize various awareness campaigns for voluntary blood donations in colleges and schools in the State.

He said many students gradually getting aware of the importance of donoring their bloods as they came to know that their donored bloods could save lives of many.

He also stressed the importance of media role in disseminating news of the blood donations.

He also felt that there should be political will with the constant support from the Government towards making the campaign effective and meeting their targets.

He also disclosed that their Association had almost 100 Members who used to donor their bloods and were ready to give their blood as and when any emergency for bloods were needed.

Maria Phom, president, Red Ribbon Club, St.

Joseph's College said students from her College gave bloods on the occasion of "World Blood Donor Day" on June 14 and disclosed that they would continue to create awareness of the importance of blood donations through their "Red Ribbon Club" .

Oken Jeet Sandham, Editor, NEPS News Service, while stressing the importance of the media in disseminating news of voluntary blood donations, said there should be coordination between the media and those agencies working for the voluntary blood donations.

The coverage of programs of "blood donations" by media persons was not enough, he explained adding that there should be certain programs and policies whereby media would automatically involve in it so that right message would reach to each and every citizen in the State.

He also suggested that important personalities like Governor, Chief Minister, singers, sportspersons, etc should be roped in to the blood donation drives so as to encourage common men to come forward for the voluntary blood donations.

Finally, the panelists and the DDK commentator came to conclusion that there should be massive awareness campaign and for which periodic interactions and seminars between the media and the associations working for the voluntary blood donations was a must.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at nepsonline(at)yahoo(dot)com .