Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUNE 14
Joining the rest of the world in observing the World Blood Donors’ Day, various voluntary, health, religious and civil organizations in the State capital came together today and organized an awareness motor rally commemorating the occasion followed by a mass voluntary blood donation drive at the State Academy Hall, Kohima.
The focus of this year’s World Blood Donors’ Day campaign is on ‘Safe Blood for Saving Mothers’, with the goal to increase awareness about why timely access to safe blood and blood products is essential for all countries as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent maternal deaths.
Voluntary Blood Donors’ Association Kohima (VBDAK) executive convenor Dr. Nyan, who spoke briefly on the significance of the day, said that World Blood Donors’ Day which is observed annually across the world provides an opportunity to highlight the life saving role of voluntary unpaid blood donors and how their precious gift saves lives.
Dr. Nyan stated that the government of India, through the National Rural Health Mission, provides incentives for pregnant mothers for institutional deliveries like JSY and JSSK. However, he pointed out, there is still much that needs to be done to provide safe blood to save the lives of mothers.Speaking on the occasion, Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar described voluntary blood donation as the most valuable gift that a human being can give to another human being. “I think this act of voluntary blood donation is next to Godliness,” he stated.
The Governor lauded donors for their act of nobility in donating their blood for those who are in need of it without expecting anything in return. He acknowledged the presence and participation of a conglomeration of various voluntary organizations, silently and enthusiastically contributing to the programme with the professional guidance and support of the state health department and Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).
Meanwhile, the Governor expressed happiness over the sanctioning of the Nagaland Medical College at Kohima and North East Regional Institute of Paramedical Sciences in Dimapur. He is optimistic that when these two intuitions becomes functional, they will bridge gaps in the health sector of the state.
Dr. Ashwani remarked that as per the report of the health department there is acute shortage of doctors, paramedical personnel and trained health workers in the state and even the required number of primary health centres are yet to be set up in rural areas. Therefore, the establishment of the North East Regional Institute of Paramedical Sciences in Dimapur and conversion of NHAK to a full-fledged medical college is most crucial and will go a long way in elevating the health care delivery system for the people of the state, he said.
Earlier in the morning, Chief Secretary Banuo Z Jamir flagged off the World Blood Donor Day Awareness Motor Rally from High School Junction, Kohima. 30 Royal Enfield riders from Nagaland Motorcycle Club, 18 vehicles from the Nagaland Adventure Club and six cyclists from the Naga Blog Cycle Club participated in the rally under the banner ‘I Drive, I Ride, I Donate’.
Essay competitions were also held for school and college levels on the themes ‘Donate Blood: Save a Life’ and ‘Safe Blood for Saving Mothers’. The Governor handed over the prizes to the winners of the competitions. More than 30 organizations contributed towards the success of the programme.
