By Our Reporter
Shillong: With Voluntary Blood Donation (VBD) percentage of only 11.05 % of the target and 52.18 percent of the total collection from April to May 2012, Meghalaya is falling way below the average acquiring second from the bottom out of all the states in the country, deputy director of Meghalaya AIDS control society (MACS), Dr F Kharkongor informed. VBD percentage in Meghalaya is only half of the VBD percentage of the neighbouring state of Tripura at 95.54 percent which is highest amongst the north eastern states, Dr Kharkongor stated. “Nation-wise, the state is second from the bottom and the position remains the same even within the region”, Dr Kharkongor said.
The MACS deputy director made this disclosure on the occasion of World Blood Donors’ Day 2012 with the theme ‘Every blood donor is a hero’ organized by MACS in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Legislators forum on HIV and AIDS, Meghalaya State Transfusion council and licensed blood banks of Meghalaya at Anton Hall, Laitumkhrah here on Thursday.
Expressing dismay over the state’s current scenario as far as VBD is concerned, Dr Kharkongor said as per Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2012-13, the target of VBD set by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), New Delhi is 95 percent.
As per Annual Report of April, 2011 to February 2012, out of the total 35 States and Union Territories of India, Meghalaya, with a Voluntary Blood Donation Percentage of only 47.54%, ranked 33rd.
Concerned over this issue, Dr Kharkongor said Meghalaya along with the other north eastern states has adopted a strategy and action points which included–increased Voluntary Blood Donation through camps (Indoor/Outdoor) in collaboration with Red Ribbon Clubs (RRCs), NSS, NCC, Faith Based Organizations (FBO), Community Based Organizations (CBO), NGOs besides others.
On the same note, pathologist and doctor in-charge of blood bank of Nazareth hospital, Dr Hughbert Dkhar stated that lack of knowledge and hesitation to make a start and in blood donation is the reason behind the low VBD percentage in the state of Meghalaya. Coming down hard on the implementation of laws in the country, Dr Dkhar said ‘We are good at law-making but best at law-breaking’ while highlighting the Supreme Court writ petition of 91 of 1992 (Civil) which banned professional blood sellers. She said these commercial blood donors are seen carrying out their business in almost every hospital, government or private.
Meanwhile, speaking as the chief guest in the function, MLA and member of the Meghalaya legislators’ forum on HIV and AIDS, Metbah Lyngdoh stressed on the need to create awareness among the public especially in the rural areas where people are still afraid to donate blood.
“We need to reinforce the self esteem of the blood donors, inspire those who shy away from donating blood, to recognize blood donors and persuade the various government departments to give utmost importance to donations camps and improve their services”, Lyngdoh said.
Later, Lyngdoh also launched the Mobile ICTC Van in the presence of secretary of health and family welfare department, KW Marbaniang. Two vans have been allotted for the state at present, one for East Khasi Hills and the other for Tura. Two more will be brought out soon.