On the occasion of ‘World Blood Donor Day’, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat, today said every section of the society should come forward for blood donation and become part of the noble initiative.The Minister made a fervent appeal to the religious and social groups to utilize their influence in motivating the people to donate blood voluntarily. He said this can save many precious lives in the State. He also called for felicitating the leading blood donors on some special occasions to generate awareness and motivation among the people, especially younger generation so that more and more volunteers come forward for the cause.
Speaking at a one-day Seminar at Institute of Hotel Management here today to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day, the Minister underlined the need for stepping up awareness campaign with the involvement of various institutions, NGOs, religious/social organizations at the grass-root level.He appreciated the role of many social organizations and individuals like Shabir Ahmed Khan from Srinagar, who has donated as many as 147 times and is leading blood donor of the State, besides, Dr. Kiran Sharma, Dr. T.R. Raina and others, who are also regular donors.The Minister assured all possible help and cooperation from the Government to volunteer organizations working for generating awareness among the people for making blood donation a regular feature.He also maintained that the Government has already formulated a comprehensive programme to strengthen the network of blood banks in the State and in every district, which would be a fully equipped and to cater to the needs of the patients. He said that the Centre has already provided funds for up-gradaton of existing blood banks and soon all district hospitals will have their own blood banks.
On the occasion, Mission Director, NHM, Dr. Mohan Singh also spoke and highlighted the initiatives taken to improve the blood bank network in the state under the flagship Programme of NHM.The Health Minister also released the Annual News Letter “Gift of Life” jointly published by the YBA and ISBTI.The programme was jointly organized by the YBA, ISBTI in association with Institute of Hotel Management, Department of Health & Medical Education, JKSACS, JK Bank, Citizens Cooperative Bank, National Health Mission, J&K. A large number of doctors, CMOs, BMOs, Medical Superintendents, para-medics, ASHA workers from various parts of the Kashmir Valley were present on the occasion.