Indian Red Cross Society holds AGM at Raj Bhavan
SHILLONG: Governor V. Shanmuganathan and Health Minister AL Hek on Tuesday highlighted blood donation deficiency in their speeches during the annual general body meeting (AGM) of the Indian Red Cross Society, Meghalaya branch at Raj Bhavan.
Shanmuganathan who is also the president of the Indian Red Cross Society urged the volunteers to conduct blood donation camps at regular intervals in various colleges and other venues.
Health Minister AL Hek, who is also the Vice President of the Society, said, “A lot of people call me and say they need to arrange for blood donors as some relatives are hospitalized, so there is a need of permanent blood donors from the Society to bridge the gap in blood donation in various hospitals.”
The health minister also said that for people to have access for free blood testing, a free diagnostic center should be set up and added that more volunteers should come forward so as to provide help during disasters.
Earlier, the Governor also had an interaction with the members of the Society where he posed questions regarding their participation and involvement with the Indian Red Cross Society and whether the volunteers take active role in the Society.
The questions posed by the Governor prompted some members to give their opinions as well as assurances for their involvement for future course of action in the Society.
During the interaction, the general secretary of the Society, Diana E. Kharshiing, urged the life members to visit the Headquarters as there is a need to expand activities.
Chairman of the Society, WR Marbaniang, retired Meghalaya police official, called upon the members to face the challenges and deal with realities with an effort to drive the Society forward to provide succor and relief.
“In today’s world, we find intolerance, violence, gender exploitation, however, the Indian Red Cross Society should not have pessimistic attitude and must show a realistic approach to drive forward to provide succor and relief,” Marbaniang said.
He also urged members to spend time in old age homes, the needy and infirm people.