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Students of Kohima Science College Jotsoma donating blood on the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day. (Morung Photo)
‘Blood donation is a beautiful act of kindness’
Morung Express News
Kohima | October 1
The National Voluntary Blood Donation Day was held in Kohima on October 1 at Kohima Science College Auditorium, Jotsoma. Under the theme ‘At least donate once in a lifetime’, 31 NSS volunteers from Kohima Science College, Jotsoma donated blood.
“When a person is fighting for his life and is in need of blood, no advance technology, equipment, and medicine can help. There is no substitute for blood. It cannot be manufactured or be replaced. It can only be received from another human being,” said Dr. Lily, Principal, KSC, Jotsoma asserting that donating blood to save a life is, therefore, a precious gift one can give to someone. Nothing can be more beautiful than saving someone's life, according to Dr. Lily, with the healthy body one has been provided.
In her welcome address, the Principal also expressed pride over the voluntary blood donation contributed by the NSS Students of KSCJ and acknowledged their courage and zeal to do good for the community and humanity. “You have been out there saving lives and giving hope to countless people. My family is also a recipient of this beautiful act of kindness and I am grateful to you,” conveyed Dr. Lily.
While sharing the benefits of blood donation, Dr. Avila Sangtam, Blood Bank, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) mentioned that the NSS Volunteers of KSCJ has been the blood stock of the Kohima blood bank, expressing gratitude to the students for coming forward to donate blood anytime of the day whenever the need for blood arise.
“Giving blood can reveal potential health problems,” said Dr. Avila elaborating that mini check up of each donor is conducted before the donation whereby the status of one’s blood pressure, Haemoglobin is checked. Donating blood further reduce harmful iron stores in the body, lower one's risk of suffering heart attack , help one's liver to stay healthy, as well as keeping one's mental state healthy. However, Dr. Avila noted that the most important benefit is the patient receiving the blood. "It might mean life to him/her,” added Dr. Avila.
Blood donor Kekuoneinuo Nyekha shared her experiences as a voluntary blood donor. The donor who began donating blood since 2005 during her college years has continued to do so after marriage and two kids. “By donating blood, the recipient will once again get the chance to live again with their loved ones,” said Nyekha. The voluntary blood donor also spoke on the misconception among Nagas on the consumption of meat presumed as healthy after donating blood. Nyekha opined that one should seek the advice of medical experts on food intake.
Delivering the Vote of thanks, Bendang Imsong from the Voluntary Blood Donors Association Kohima (VBDAK) mentioned that the NSS Volunteers of the KSCJ are the backbone of the voluntary blood supply in Kohima, while also expressing the hope that Kohima become an exemplary capital city of voluntary blood donors. With the misconceptions on blood donation in Naga society, Imsong encourage the students to break the barriers of faulty perceptions by educating themselves and spreading the awareness. Further, sharing experiences of prejudices based on tribe, color and class while receiving blood, Imsong urged that no distinctions be drawn when it comes to donating and receiving blood.
The event was jointly organised by the VBDAK, NHAK, KSCJ, National Service Scheme (NSS), Nagaland State Blood Transfusion Council (NSBTC) and Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS).
