From Our Correspondent
Ampati: DM&HO, Ampati, Dr KA Sangma on Friday said that most of the rural folks are afraid and, at the same time, reluctant to donate blood due to ignorance about importance and health benefits of donating blood. She also emphasised on the need to educate people, particularly the rural folks, to donate blood voluntarily.
Sangma was speaking at a day-long blood donation camp organised at Ampati Civil Hospital (CH). Around 50 voluntary donors donated during the camp, which was held on the theme ‘Give Love, Give Blood’.
The camp was organised by NHM Employees’ Association of Meghalaya (NEAM) and Meghalaya Medical Services Association (MMSA), Ampati Unit, in collaboration with Ampati CH and assisted by the a team from Blood Bank, Tura CH.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ampati, SC Laloo, who was the chief guest at the inaugural programme of the camp, said that health aspect of the citizens is of utmost importance for all-round development of a society and “by coming forward to donate blood, we show our love and compassion to our fellow human beings in action”.
Dr TG Momin from Blood Bank, Tura CH, gave a brief awareness talk on blood donation and the types of blood donors including family donors, professional donors and voluntary donors. As professional donors charge a lot of money, there is a need for more voluntary donors, she said.
Highlighting the health benefits of donating blood, she said, “Blood cannot be manufactured, rather it is a gift of love.”
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Finlay CK Marak, Medical Officer, Betasing PHC and president, MMSA, SWGH, said it was a befitting day to have the blood donation camp not only on the occasion of Valentine’s Day but also on the occasion of Pulwama Shahid Divas. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the BSF jawans for stepping forward in large number to donate blood.
“One of these challenges”, he said, “was high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women, who require blood transfusion during delivery.”
Medical Superintendent, Ampati CH, Dr JS Momin, in her welcome address, informed that the blood storage unit of the hospital was almost ready and would be made functional soon.
The camp was also attended by medical officers, nursing staff, district officials, donors and members of NEAM and MMSA.
