KOHIMA, Jun 14: Along with the rest of the world, Nagaland celebrated World Blood Donor Day at the Health & Family Welfare Directorate on 14 June 2023, which was jointly organized by Voluntary Blood Donors’ Association, Kohima, and Health & Family Welfare Department.
Project Director, NSACS, Dr. Akuo Sorhie said that Voluntary blood donation is vital for all patients including those who require lifelong and regular transfusions for conditions such as Sickle cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia and that voluntary plasma donation plays a major role in supporting patients with wide range of long-term conditions such as haemophilia and immune deficiencies.
Sorhie mentioned that it is crucial to observe this day because the need of the hour now is to make Naga people aware of the facts and myths regarding blood donation since there is still so much fear, ignorance, and misconceptions associated with blood donation. So she suggested that aggressive intervention is required to educate and change the mindset of the citizens.
Sorhie further said that some of the objectives of this year’s campaign were; to Celebrate and thank individuals who donate blood and to encourage more people to become new donors as well, to encourage people in good health to donate blood regularly, as often as is safe and possible to transform the quality of life for ‘Transfusion Dependent Patients’ and to help build secure blood supply in the State. Another objective was to highlight the critical roles of voluntary regular blood and plasma donations to ensure that enough safe and quality blood is in stock at the blood banks for any urgent requirements.
Principal Director, DH&FW, Dr. Vibeituonuo M. Sachu said that the slogan for the 2023 World Blood Donor Day campaign is “Give Blood, give plasma, share life, share often”, which focuses on patients requiring life-long transfusion support and underlines the role every single person can play by giving blood or plasma. It also highlights the importance of giving blood or plasma regularly to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can be always available, so that all patients in need can receive timely treatment.
Sachu also said that this day provides a special opportunity to celebrate and thank voluntary blood donors around the world for their gift of blood and that it has become a major focus for action toward achieving universal access to safe blood transfusion. She also appealed to all present to get tested for their blood group so that they can donate anytime during an emergency or distress through mobile blood banks.
Commandant Officer, Kohima Battalion (Bn), Assam Rifles (AR), Col. SSB Sharma apprised that sharing of blood in the society creates and rejuvenates humanity in the world. There is a huge requirement of blood everywhere and timely intervention for blood donation could save multiple lives. Sharma said that the Kohima Bn, AR has had 117 blood donors for the past two years and they are continuing to do so and requested the public to volunteer and donate blood to save lives.
Hikali Achumi, Miss Nagaland 2022, carried out the Presentation of Appreciation of Donors.
The programme was supported by Blood Bank NHK, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, NSBTC, Assam Rifles, RAKTDAAN, Crescent International Hotel, IRCN, and Imprint.
Twenty-Eight (28) volunteers, some of which were officials of the Department, College students, and Assam Rifles soldiers, who were present at the program donated blood at the Blood Donation Camp after the programme. (DIPR)