State observes Blood Donors' Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 14 2011: Celebrating the gift of blood and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gift, World Blood Donors' Day was also observed in Manipur today under the theme of 'More blood, more life' .

At the Jubilee Hall of RIMS, the observance function was organised by Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion, RIMS under the sponsorship of Manipur State AIDS Control Society and State Blood Transfusion Council.

Apart from distributing prizes and certificates to winners of the quiz competition organised in connection with the observance, gifts and mementos were also presented to voluntary blood donors and organisation involved in raising awareness on the need for blood donation.

Delivering the key note address, head of Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion, RIMS Prof Ahongsangbam Meinya Singh explained that every year June 14 is being observed as the World Blood Donors' Day to raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products and encourage people donate blood to save the lives of their fellow beings in need regularly.

Rally organised in connection with the World Blood Donors' Day

For the first time, World Blood Donors' Day was observed at Johannesburg, South Africa in 2004 under the joint aegis of WHO, ISBT and IFRC.

This year, the main event is being hosted by Argentina at its capital, Buenos Aires under the theme 'More blood, more life' to reinforce the urgent need for more people all over the world to become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood.

He pointed out that the rate of blood donation in 62 countries of the world is 100 percent.

But it is only 76 percent in India during the period 2009-2010 .

In the case of Manipur, the rate of voluntary blood donation is still very low at 30 percent.

This is inspite of the fact that the total requirement of blood in Manipur is 27,000 units whereas only 21,000 unit of blood could be received from the voluntary donors.

So, there is the need to encourage more and more people to come out and donate blood voluntarily.

Any healthy person in the age group of 18 to 60 years can donate blood after every three months to meet this requirement, he added.

Speaking as chief guest of the observance, Director of RIMS Prof S Sekharjit Singh said that donating blood one can not only help others but also lead a healthy life.

RIMS has today all the required equipments for detecting HIV and other infectious diseases in the blood at the time of donating blood, he informed.

Prof Sekharjit also announced that as a part of the observance, a mega blood donation camp would be held at RIMS on June 17 where around 500 voluntary blood donors are expected to attend.

A special gift would also be presented to each of the donors to show respect to them during the said camp.

Medical Superintendent of RIMS Prof H Shanti Singh, while encouraging the people to donate blood, pointed out that 450 ml of blood can save the lives of three people.

Secretary of India Red Cross Society Prof M Lala Singh said that blood donors are co-partners of medical professionals.

At JNIMS, Porompat conference hall, World Blood Donor Day was held under the joint aegis of Manipur State AIDS Control Society and State Blood Transfusion Council, Manipur under the theme 'More Blood More life' .

A rally from Citizens' Club, Soibam Leikai ground upto JNIMS Hospital and a poster signature campaign were also organised to mark the occasion.

Apart from donation of blood by several individuals, Health Minister L Jayentakumar handed over certificates and medals to various blood donors.

Director (JNIMS) Prof PK Das Gupta along with Medical Superintendent (JNIMS) Dr Khomdon Singh Lisam and Commissioner (Health) Moses K Chalai also graced the occasion as the president and guests of honour respectively.

Speaking as the chief guest, the Health Minister called upon the citizens to participate in blood donation programmes as most emergency cases require blood.

Conceding that Government as well as private medical centres in the State are facing problem of infrastructure inadequacy, Jayentakumar said efforts are being made for efficient maintenance of blood banks in all the district hospitals.

While dispelling misconceptions on donating blood, he also noted gradual awareness among the masses on the importance of donating blood as even the physically or visually challenged people have started to join in blood donation programmes.

Prof Das Gupta, Dr Khomdon and Moses Chalai also expressed confidence that by organising more blood donation camps the awareness level will increase.