On the occasion of 14 June, 10th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day. The health department organized a felicitation cum seminar at Rotary Bhwan Palampur under the aegis of State Blood Transfusion Council HP (SBTC) & in partnership with Blood Bank Society Palampur and Rotary Club Palampur.The chief guest Speaker HP Vidhan Sabha Sh BBL Butail presented a token of recognition to Organizations which have conducted blood donation camps and supported the campaign, in recognition of exemplary leadership & invaluable service to Humanity in the field of promoting Voluntary Blood Donation and saving precious lives. He thanked the NGOs and volunteers working in the field on blood donation and appreciated the services of Rotarians and Blood Bank Society Palampur, due to which the Palampur Blood bank is among the best in the state.
He stated that an amount of two crore has been sanctioned by the state government in this financial year for financial assistance to children affected by HIV AIDS in the state. He unveiled an exhibition on National Health Programmes on the occasion. The Chief Guest dedicated the ambulance to the public and presented a token of thanks to the sponsors. Rtn Sunil Nagpal Chairman Rotary Foundation told that this was through matching grant project of amount 13.88 lakhs. Rotary Club Palampur President Manoj Kanwar stated that Rotary International is the biggest NGO participating in the largest health project of the world Polio eradication.Dr RK Sood, District AIDS Programme Officer on the occasion shared that is an occasion to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood, to mark the birthday of Nobel Prize winner, Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the ABO blood group system. Rotary Charter president Dr Shiv Kumar stated the Rotary is doing social service with slogan “service above self” since 1905, and Palampur club was established in 1977 and has conducted successful project through local donation like Rotary Eye Hospital.
A seminar was conducted to dispel the myths and misconceptions on Blood donation and motivate people for this noble cause. Dr Jitendra Saxena District Health Officer, stated that with the slogan "Give the gift of life: donate blood", this year’s campaign, focuses on the value of donated blood to the patient, not only in saving life, but also in helping people live longer and more productive lives. He told that any healthy person between the age of 18-60 years and having body weight of more than 45 Kg who has not donated blood in the last three months can donate blood, and it does not lead to weakness.
Sh Gopal Sood Secretary Blood Bank Society presenting his report stated that the NGO has been strengthening the local hospital & blood bank facilities and strengthening them since last 25 years and the members have increased from 6 to 320 and has employed four staff to support the hospital. The society also hands disaster relief work. Having lonely one ambulance in hospital, the hospital was unable to cater patient transport needs. Hence the NGO started ambulance service in 2006. Urmil Kapoor presented a poetic tribute to Ajay Dogra donor who donated blood 85 times; who has recently passed away.
Dr Vinay Mahajan, SMO I/C cum Pathologist and Blood Bank in-charge at Palampur told that Blood Bank Society supports the hospital through volunteers in ECG, Ultrasound, Indian Oil self-kitchen, Oxygen Bank with 50 oxygen cylinders, bedding, postmortem services.Rotary Club Palampur of Rotary District Rotary District 3070 in collaboration with Rotarians of rotary District 5950 USA donated a Tavera ambulance, to Blood Bank Society. Chief guest appreciating this gesture stated that this is a perfect example of coordination between Govt. & NGO.
Dr Shiv Kumar Chairma Rotary foundation Papalmpur, SDM Palampur Bhupender Attri, Dr Jitendra Saxena, MOH Kangra, Sh Yash Mahajan Vice President Blood Bank Society, Dr. DS Chandel Ex Director Health Services, Blood Bank officer Tanda Dr Bal Chander, President beopar Mandal Surinder Sood, Dharmenrder Goel, Ajay Sood Blood Bank officer Dharmashala BMO Taira Dr Mehta, BMO Mahakal vibek Sood, BMO Bhawarna Satinder Sood, Dr Anju Puri, President Beopar Mandal, Dr Ram Sood, Dr Vijay Sood Ex CMO, Balram Dogra Vice Chancellor Sri Sai University, Chief Manger SBI, KCCB were also present on the occasion. Chander Bhan Bawla painter of Thakurdwara presented his ongoing project of 108 km long banner on AIDS awareness. The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts in the shape of blood.