By Temjenkaba
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.
Though all these short coming people and many associations are now actively involved in assisting patients in times of need and also creating the importance with a clear focus of saving a life and the 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 is observe every year on1st 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 . Though it is not possible to achieve 100% voluntary donation unless it is understood by all the people but 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 are 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 programs 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 Blood Donors Association to meet the demand for the needy person, some of 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 needed person, it is important to motivate people to donate blood voluntarily and to create awareness on the importance blood donation. The association is always on the role to conduct blood donation camps throughout the year for Government Blood Bank, and organize training programed and to recruit new donors and create donors of tomorrow through motivational programs in schools, campuses and to help the Government and other regulatory bodies to frame policy / rules / regulations in relation to voluntary blood donation. VBDAK co-ordinate and facilitate the relationship between voluntary blood donors and blood donor organizations thus promoting Blood donation Program in Nagaland and create public to fight against the superstition and social taboos related to Blood Donation and disseminate information on voluntary blood donation and safe blood.
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 the association is trying the best way to enhance the huge gap between Demand and supply. The association also maintain on line donor where many people are coming forward to donate which is a positive step but if there is no blood bank the problem is where to store.so taking this opportunity I would like to apprise the Government of the day to open at least one blood bank in every District should so that many life can be save as we never know what will happen in the next minute.
Public awareness are being noticed slowly and coming forward to donate blood as 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 many human can be save should. 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 litre of blood of which only 350 ml - 450 ml of blood is taken .The withdrawn blood volume is restored within 24 hours and the haemoglobin 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 pyrogen free containers with anticoagulants like 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 to save the life of other people. Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person .The Gift of Life .So, if you want to pick up a healthy habit, head over to your local blood bank to give the gift of life. VBDAK has been on the role from 2011, it has open a what app group and if someone needs blood one can up load in the what app group by giving details about the blood group along with contact number and the name of the hospital. The group also maintain on line Donor as there is certain period to store.
‘Donate Blood’ and give somebody a GIFT OF LIFE. I donate blood… will you Donate it. The Joy of Saving Human Lives, Reduce the risk of Heart Diseases. ‘Donate Blood’ and give somebody a GIFT OF LIFE. I donate blood… will you?
