Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 220/14

WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY OBSERVED

Shillong, June 14, 2014: The State Level observation of World Blood Donor Day, 2014 was organized by the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, Shillong at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong today where the Meghalaya Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr. A L Hek graced the occasion as Chief Guest in the presence of Mr. K W Marbaniang, Secretary, Health Department, Government of Meghalaya, Medical Doctors, other Officials, Organizations and Blood Donors. The theme for this year’s campaign is Safe Blood for Saving Mothers.

Addressing the gathering Mr. Hek appreciated the effort of the health department and various organizations of the state for conducting blood donation campaigns at different places and thus helping in increasing the number of voluntary blood donors across the state. He further stressed on the need to organize blood donors melas with comprehensive strategy for creating awareness among the general public to donate blood voluntarily. “There should be a perennial source of blood bank in the state and it should be available when necessary”, he added.

Director DHS(R), Pasteur Institute, Shillong, Dr. R Wankhar, the Guest of Honour at the function highlighted the importance of the theme and explained the fact that 50 per cent of the blood donated in the blood bank has been used to save the precious live of mothers at Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong in addition to the requirement of blood for injury, surgery and other illness which incurs blood transfusion.

Dr. E Lyngdoh, Deputy Director, Blood Safety, Meghalaya Aids Control Society (MACS) presented an overview on blood safety and scenario of voluntary blood donation in the state of Meghalaya. She stated that for the year 2013 and 2014 about 10,000 unit of blood has been collected through blood donation campaigns with the help of other NGOs where the target level shows increase in the number of voluntary blood donors.

It may be mentioned that World Blood Donor Day is observed on 14th June every year in order to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life saving gifts of blood. Transfusion of blood and blood products helps save millions of lives every year. The objectives of the campaign is to take concrete steps towards ensuring that health facilities in their countries improve, access to safe blood and blood products from volunteer donors for women giving birth, to focus on safe blood for mothers in places where maternal mortality is high, maternal health programmes and partnership engage in the 2014 campaign and WHO and partners throughout the world highlight how safe blood from voluntary donors can save women’s life everywhere.

During the programme, altogether 48 Donor Organizations from Shillong were felicitated and mementos were also presented to Ms. Anita Chauchan, Mr. John Wahlang, Ms. D A Shylla, Mr. Shanborlang Thangkhiew and Mr. Adaman Mawa for regular voluntary blood donors.

Others who spoke on the occasion are Dr. D Tariang, Medical Superintendent, Dr. H G Roberts Hospital, Dr. Hughbert Dkhar, Pathologist, incharge Blood Bank, Nazareth Hospital, Ms Anita Chauhan and Mr. John Wahlang, Regular Female and Male Voluntary Blood Donors. Dr. W D Phira, Project Director, MACS welcomed the gathering and Dr. L N Lyngdoh, SMO incharge Blood Bank, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong propose the vote of thanks.