A function was organised with the theme “Donate blood and give a gift of life” by Uttarakhand State AIDS Control Society (USACS) on the occasion of World Blood Donors’ Day in Dehradun on Friday.
The chief guest for the occasion was State Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi, who after inaugurating the function urged from the gathering to participate in voluntary blood donation camps organised on regular intervals.
The Minister cleared that the State Government is committed to provide best and round-the-clock medical assistance to the residents of the State. Negi also urged students to sensitise masses about the importance of participating in the voluntary blood donation camps.
A total of 35 donors and motivators, including Yogesh Agarwal who donated blood for record 101th time, were also honoured during the event. Earlier, Dr Meenakshi Uniyal, Assistant Project Director, USACS, said problem of shortage of blood is much grave in the higher parts of the State and villagers should come forward to participate in the voluntary blood donation camps being regularly organised by the department across the State.
She highlighted that the effective steps have been regularly taken by the State health department to create awareness among the masses. Dr Uniyal told that National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) emphasised on clean and safe blood with no replacement.
She said that voluntary blood donation month is being observed from June 14 to July 14 and steps would be taken to create awareness among the masses about the importance of participating in the voluntary blood donation camps.
A voluntary blood donation camp was also organised at the event site. Dr YC Sharma, DG (Health), Dr Geeta Joshi, Additional Director, Dr Kiran Bisht, Joint Director, Uma Prakash, Joint Director (IEC) and Parvati Pandey (Consultant) were also present.
In another event, a voluntary blood donation camp was organised jointly organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Maxcure Nutravedics in partnership with Himalayan Institute of Hospital Trust, Jollygrant, IMA Blood Bank, Dehradun and Red Cross Society of Uttarakhand in Haridwar.
The camp was inaugurated by the State Health Minister SS Negi, who appreciated the efforts of CII for overcoming the problem of shortage of blood in the state. A total of 800 units of blood were collected in the camp.
“The effort is expected to encourage industrial workforce, who have shown extreme enthusiasm to donate blood, to heighten their responsibilities as good citizens,” said Sandeep Jain, Chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council and Director, Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals limited.
Dr M S Rawat, Dr Umang Sahai, MD, IMA Blood Bank, Dr Naresh Chaudhary, Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Haridwar, were also present.