World Blood Donor Day is observed on 14th June every year. Blood donation is one of the most significant contributions that a person can make towards the society. It is not harmful for an adult person to donate blood. The body of the donor can regenerate the blood within few days. It poses no threat to the metabolism of the body. Blood donation is one of the most significant contributions that a person can make towards the society
To increase voluntary blood donation in Nagaland, a group of likeminded donors came together to form a voluntary blood donation associations. Thus, the Voluntary Blood Donation Association Kohima (VBDK) was formed in 2011 understanding the need for an action oriented approach to help the people who need blood.
Till date, the districts of Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto and Peren formed the district association, with the objectives to donate blood and to facilitate those who are in need of blood. These associations are actively involved in assisting many patients in times of need. Creation of awareness by organizing voluntary blood donation camp, celebration/observation of special events like the World Blood donors Day 14th June and National Voluntary Blood Donation Day 1st October all over the state. Such events are supported by the Nagaland State Blood Transfusion Council (NSBTC) and the Nagaland AIDS Control Society (NSACS) as well as contributions from various organizations, donor agencies, private enterprises and individuals. The technical support for the blood donation activities is assisted by the respective district Blood banks. It is the result of such activities, that there is a significant increase in voluntary blood donation across the state. However, this momentum needs to be maintained with the active support from the general mass as in some case if a patient needs blood transfusion, a replacement donor from his family or friends could donate. But there are some conditions where blood transfusion is required off and on, and moreover sometimes more than 100 units is needed for a particular patient. Then how can the family or friends can bring all the required number of replacement donors and this gives rise to involvement of professional or paid donors disguised as replacement donors. So it is high time, for every sections of our society in our state should come together and join hands to formulate strategies to achieve 100% voluntary blood donation, so that any patient who needs blood transfusion can get the required blood units from the blood bank centers without replacement. But it is not possible to achieve 100% voluntary donation unless it is understood by all the people. If 1% of the populations of our state donate blood once a year the need for blood can be improved up to certain extend, so with this objectives voluntary blood association is playing an active role to achieve the target by organizing various blood donation drive every month all over the state.
In-spite of the mass awareness on HIV and AIDS, the general community in Nagaland is still ignorant about the importance of voluntary blood donation and safe blood transfusion. Many people still continue to acquire blood from professional blood donors which expedite the spread of HIV and AIDS in the state. Thus the National Blood Donation Day is planned to strengthen and expand safe voluntary blood donation programmes and to reinforce Local campaigns by mass based awareness from different platforms like Colleges. NGOs, Red Cross, Churches, the celebration of the world Blood Donation day is an occasion to thank all voluntary blood donors and to acknowledge and recognize the silent and unsung heroes, whose selfless deeds save lives every day through their blood donations and improve the health of people whom they never knew.
In our state, to increase voluntary blood donation, initiatives are being made by Voluntary Blood Donors Association to meet the demand for the needy person, some of the Goals and objectives are to:
• To motivate people to donate blood voluntarily
• To create awareness in the society in science of blood and blood donation
• To make people aware of the Safe Blood Transfusion
• To conduct blood donation camps throughout the year for Government Blood Banks
• To organize training programmes for blood donor motivators
• To recruit new donors and create donors of tomorrow through motivational programs in schools, campuses and youth groups
• To publish posters, booklets to promote voluntary blood donation
• To help the Government and other regulatory bodies to frame policy / rules / regulations in relation to voluntary blood donation
• To propagate the message of optimum utilization of blood amongst the blood users
• To create an atmosphere to make available blood to all in the state collected from non-remunerated voluntary blood donors.
• To co-ordinate and facilitate the relationship between voluntary blood donors and blood donor organizations thus promoting Blood donation Program in Nagaland.
• To create public awareness and disseminate information on voluntary blood donation and safe blood.
• To fight against the superstition and social taboos related to Blood Donation
An ailing body needs blood for various reasons. He may be attacked with anemia, undergone an operation or may meet with an accident. SO such a patient may die for want of blood as it is not always available in the blood bank and even a pregnant mother may need blood in case of emergency situation. The patient needs blood or his or her group of blood whenever necessary. It may be added that Blood has four groups namely, A, B, AB and O. The required group must be the same while transplanting otherwise the transplantation will go in vain and even the patient may die. The man with the O-group blood is called the universal donor as the people having others can accept it. On the contrary, the man with AB group of blood is called the universal receiver as he can accept all groups of blood. Blood can be stored for a limited period of time that is why the blood banks need a steady and constant flow and collection.
Through the initiatives of Volunteer
Nowadays a public awareness are being noticed to donate blood. And many clubs, colleges, societies, offices, etc. organize blood donation camps on different occasions. It is a healthy gesture and we must keep this aptitude up at any cost because our blood banks are running short of required blood, so by organizing Blood donation should be a human duty for everyone. Mentioned may be made that our body does not get affected if we donate blood. The body can repair the loss within a few days. So we all must come forward to donate blood as it can make sure the return of a dying man again into the light of life.
Though we have made tremendous discoveries and inventions in Science but we are not yet able to make the magic potion called Blood. Human blood has no substitute so Requirement of safe blood is increasing and regular voluntary blood donations are vital for blood transfusion services. Our body has 5.5 liter of blood of which only 350 ml – 450 ml of blood is taken .The withdrawn blood volume is restored within 24 hours and the hemoglobin and other cell components are restored in 2 months it is safe to donate blood every three months. Donor should be between 18-55 years of age with a weight of 50 kg or above with pulse rate, body temperature and blood pressure should be normal and there are only few conditions in which donors are permanently excluded. The donor with history of epilepsy, psychotic disorders, abnormal bleeding tendencies, severe asthma, cardiovascular disorders, and malignancy is permanently unfit for blood donation. Donors suffering from disease like hepatitis, malaria, measles, mumps, and syphilis may donate blood after full recovery within 3-6 months gap and moreover people who have undergone surgery, blood transfusion may safely donate blood after 6-12 months and for woman donors who are pregnant or lactating blood is not taken as their iron reserves are already on the lower side.
The donated blood is collected in sterile pyrogenic free containers with anticoagulants like CPDA or CPDA with SAGM. This prevents clotting and provides nutrition for the cells. This blood is stored at 2-6 C or -20 C depending on the component prepared. Donating blood undergoes various tests like blood grouping antibody detection, testing of infections like hepatitis, AIDS, Malaria,
Syphilis and before it reaches the recipient it undergoes compatibility testing with the recipient blood. Modern blood transfusion basically deals with the optimal use of one unit of blood. One unit of whole blood is separated into components making it available to different patients according to their requirement. Thus one unit of blood is converted into packed cell volume, fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrate, cryoprecipitate and granulocytes concentrate.
Another important practice is apheresis which is also used for remaining pathological substance in patients. Withdrawal of blood for transfusion is regarded as a safe procedure now and blood donor has emerged as the single most vital link.
I Should Donate Blood, because There is no substitute for Blood. Every 3 seconds someone needs a blood transfusion! Your donation will help save the life of other people. Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person .The Gift of Life. Some Health Benefits of Blood Donation are like The Joy of Saving Human Lives, Reduce the risk of Heart Diseases. Reduces the risk of Cancer .So, if you want to pick up a healthy habit, head over to your local blood center and give the gift of life.
‘Donate Blood’ and give somebody a GIFT OF LIFE. I donate blood… will you?
(A DIPR feature by Temjenkaba, IA)
