Voluntary blood donation gradually growing in Nagaland

From symbolic commemoration to becoming a practice

Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 14

There was a time in Nagaland when blood donation events were symbolic affairs limited to institutional visits and sensitising people on the importance of blood donation. It was more an awareness drive, making fervent appeals, than having people voluntarily come forward. 

From symbolic commemoration to becoming a practice

Those days are gone with the awareness on the concept of blood donation gradually turning into a practice and the days ahead looking bright, according to Dr Temsu Jamir, Consultant and Incharge of the Blood Bank, District Hospital, Dimapur. “We were struggling but today we are in a position to help the needy with your (donors) help. Wherever they are, we want to salute the donors,” said Dr Temsu speaking at a World Blood Donor Day gathering at the Blood Bank, Dimapur on June 14. Medical Superintendent of the District Hospital, Dr Khrielasanuo Metha was also present. 

The gathering had a community of various voluntary donors from the Network of Blood Donors (NoBD); Haemophilia Society of India, Nagaland Chapter; Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo Youth Ministry, Duncan Fellowship; Nagaland Manchester United Supporters Club (Dimapur unit), besides others. The 2023 slogan for the day is Give Blood, Give Plasma, Give Often.

The perceived growing awareness has reflected in the number of units the Blood Bank collects annually. From around 800 units collected in 2006, Dr Temsu informed that the total annual collection has grown consistently since then, barring 2020 and 2021, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It crossed the 5000 mark in 2011 and 8000 in 2018. The highest was in 2019 when it collected 9000 units but it dipped the following year to 6000. It bounced back soon after, affecting a collection of around 8500 units in the 2022-23 period (April-March). It constituted roughly 70 percent of the total state collection of around 12,500 units during the same period, he said.

While stating that making available safe blood should be duty of all, he added that the support of the donors has enabled the Blood Bank to shoulder that responsibility. He said, “If you are a patient, who is on kidney dialysis, has a blood disorder needing blood and if you happen to come here, be assured you are in the right place.”

He further placed emphasis for donating only at registered blood banks. He informed that Sovima village in Chümoukedima has become the first village in Nagaland to have a blood storage centre where donors can donate at the government health sub-centre or the Health and Wellness Centre. 

Sebastian Zumvu, Chairperson of the Sovima Village Council, who was also present at the gathering, said that the village has organised three blood donation camps already. According to him, misconception relating to blood donation should be done away with and that the church can play a big role in dispelling the misconceptions.

From April till June, the collection at the Blood Bank has totaled around 1500 and the target for 2023-24, according to Dr Temsu, is to cross the 10,000 mark.  The day’s collection on account of the global event was 51. The donors Project Sewak, WSBAK Youth Ministry, Nagaland Manchester United Supporters Club (Dimapur unit), NoBD, DABA Youth Ministry (Duncan Fellowship), Health and Wellness Centre (Sovima), Haemophilia Society of India (Nagaland chapter), Tetso College, Patkai Christian College, Department of Telecommunications (Government of India) and Samaritan Home.  

Meanwhile at the state-level programme held at the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Principal Director, Dr Vibeituonuo M Sachu said every single donation is a precious lifesaving gift and repeat donation is the key to building a safe and sustainable blood supply. 

"Every blood donor is a hero. Every one of us can become a hero by giving blood," she noted at the programme jointly organised by Voluntary Blood Donors' Association, Kohima and Department of H&FW.