World Blood Donor Day observed in Kohima, Mokokchung
Morung Express News
Kohima/Mokokchung | June 14
World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on 14 June throughout the world. The day provides a special opportunity to celebrate and thank voluntary blood donors around the world for their gift of blood, and it has become a major focus for action towards achieving universal access to safe blood transfusion.
Speaking as the special guest of the World Blood Donor Day 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.
The programme was jointly organised by Voluntary Blood Donors' Association, Kohima and Department of H&FW under the slogan "Give Blood, give plasma, share life, share often."
While observing the underlying apprehension for blood donation in the minds of the people in the state, Dr Sachu was optimistic that this kind of event will create awareness to the present generation to carry the message of donating blood, its importance and value to all sections of the society in order that precious lives are saved through blood donation.
"Every blood donor is a hero. Every one of us can become a hero by giving blood," she said.
Also acknowledging the silent and unsung heroes, who saves lives every day through their blood donations, Dr Sachu encouraged more people to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.
"Give blood, give hope and be grateful to God for good health for being able to do such a noble act," said Dr Sachu.
In her keynote address, Dr Akuo Sorhie, Project Director, NSACS underlined the importance of voluntary blood donation for all patients including those many requiring lifelong and regular transfusions for conditions such as Sickle cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia, and plasma donation for patients with a wide range of long-term conditions such as haemophilia and immune deficiencies.
Thus, she underscored the need to make people aware about the facts and myths regarding blood donation. "There are still so much fear, ignorance and misconceptions associated with this noble act," noted Dr Sorhie and emphasized on the need for an aggressive intervention to educate and change this mindset of our people.
Thanking the voluntary blood donors, she also encouraged them to continue to be the ambassadors to this noblest act of saving life and be the reason for someone's existence, also to continue to be that vital link between life and death.
Miss Nagaland 2022, Hikari Achumi gave away the presentation of appreciation of donors, and encouraged all to come forward and join hands in the mission of saving lives.
Col. SBB Sharma, Commandant Officer, Kohima Battalion, Assam Rifles and Akhale V. Khamo, General Secretary, IRCSN also spoke at the programme.
The programme was followed by a blood donation camp held at the conference hall of the DH&FW where 28 volunteers came forward to donate blood. Today blood donors include Assam Rifles, Kohima battalion, Kohima College, 78 Bn CRPF, officials and staffs of directorate of Heath and family welfare, officials and staffs of NSACS, youth of Sumi Baptist church and youths of Phom Baptist church.
In Mokokchung, World blood Donor Day was observed at Henry Auditorium, Assam Rifles Camp where a programme and blood donation camp was organized by Zila Sainik Board in collaboration with Mokokchung Voluntary Blood Donor's Association (MVBDA), Assam Rifles Mokokchung Battalion, ESAM League, Mokokchung, ECHS Polyclinic Mokokchung and 25 Nagaland Battalion, NCC, Mokokchung.
The programme was graced by Chumlamo Humtsoe, ADC, Mokokchung as the special guest and Major Zeeshan, Regimental Medical officer (RMO) 12 Assam Rifles Battalion, Mokokchung.
Speaking on the importance of the day, Molo Jamir, president, Mokokchung Voluntary Blood Donor's Association, drew light on the truth that transfusions of blood and blood plasma save millions of lives every year. It saves patients suffering from life-threatening conditions and helps them live longer.
Furthermore, he informed the gathering that the MVBDA, in association with the Blood Donor's Association (IMDH), the Ex-Servicemen League, Mokokchung, and Zila Sainik Board, Mokokchung has dedicated the whole month of June 2023 to increase awareness regarding the critical need for timely access to safe blood.
Chumlamo Humtsoe in his speech asserted that irrespective of any racial stop or ground, donation of blood is the significance of being one on humanitarian ground, but people, on the contrary, fight on racial ground. Barriers are created by humans, and the donation of blood is what removes that barrier, he added.
Major Zeeshan, Regimental Medical Officer, encouraged the donors to actively participate in blood donation, knowing it saves lives. During the blood donation camp that followed, 15 units of blood were collected.
