SHILLONG: Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills Matsiewdor War on Tuesday called upon officials to spread awareness among the people about the importance of voluntary blood donation.
She was speaking as the chief guest at the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day observed on Tuesday on the theme, “At least donate once in a lifetime.”
Blood collection in the state has shown an upward trend in the past five years. The state with its 11 districts has eight licensed blood banks, six blood storage centres and two major blood banks with blood component separation.
In 2014-15, the percentage of voluntary blood donation was 24.60, in 2015-16 it was 25.63, in 2016-17 it was 26.59, in 2017-18 it was 31.83 and in 2018-19 it was 35.77. During April- August this year voluntary blood donation stood at 35.78 per cent.
The DC wondered why more people are not coming forward to donate blood which cannot be manufactured despite technical and medical advancement.
She requested the Meghalaya State Blood Transfusion Council and the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) to visit offices in the district to highlight the importance of blood donation.
Suggesting to the concerned authorities to go to the grassroots, War said that they can also visit different blocks in the district and approach the Village Employment Councils (VECs) by highlighting the importance of blood donation at the village level.
“We will work together to spread awareness in the right platform,” she said.
The campaign serves to create awareness among the people on the importance of blood donation and to encourage them to come forward to donate blood and prevent its shortage for all those in need.
MACS in collaboration with Meghalaya State Blood Transfusion Council, Directorate of Health Services (Research) and all licensed blood banks observed the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day.
