Arunchal Pradesh health minister Alo Libang on Sunday called upon the people to come forward and voluntarily donate blood to fulfil the blood requirements of the state, especially of those in dire need.
“Voluntary blood donation is the highest form of altruism and you are saving many precious lives by donating your blood,” Libang, who was at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) here to participate in the World Blood Donor Day celebrations, said.
Libang stressed on a robust Information Education Communication (IEC) campaign in the coming days so as to mobilize more volunteers for blood donations.
The minister said “common myths and misconceptions that keep people away from the noble cause should be done away through such campaigns.”
Libang appreciated the members of Anggong Society and Arunachal Students Union, Shillong, who voluntarily turned up for blood donation amidst the lockdown to mark the day.
He further asked the community based organizations, NGOs, students’ unions and other volunteers to follow suit.
The officials of health department were also lauded by the minister for the efforts in promoting voluntary blood donations in the state.
Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society project director Dr Riken Rina said Arunachal has made commendable progress in the field of voluntary blood donation in recent times.
“Arunachal was awarded as the best performing state for achieving 100 percent voluntary blood donation by the ministry of health and family welfare in 2019, for which the credit goes entirely to all the voluntary blood donors of the state,” he said.
Dr Rina said Arunachal is still improving its voluntary blood donation movement.
“Around 1000-1500 units of blood were collected annually through voluntary donations a few years back, however, the count is more than 8000 units at present,” he said.
Health Services director Dr M Lego asked the people to promote the positive effects of voluntary blood donations in every nook and corner of the state while State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) deputy director Dr Nabam Budh highlighted the importance of celebrating World Blood Donor Day.
Dr Budh, however, said that the occasion could not be organized in a large scale this year due the Covid19 pandemic.
The celebration was followed by a voluntary blood donation programme at the TRIHMS blood bank during which 29 units of blood were collected.
The hospital’s blood bank in-charge Dr P Sona and blood bank officer Dr Tashi Paleng supervised the camp which was organized maintaining all the social distancing norms of Covid19.
The day was also observed in Ziro district hospital where 8 units of blood were collected.
World Blood Donor Day takes place every year on June 14.
Besides thanking the blood donors, it is also a day to raise awareness about the global need for safe blood and how everyone can contribute to the cause.