World Blood Donor Day, 2022
Rongili Barta- Along with rest of the world, Assam State Blood Transfusion Council (ASBTC) observed World Blood Donor Day across the state on June 14, 2022. The state-level function was held at Sri Sri Madhabdeva International Auditorium, Kalakshetra, Guwahati. The theme of World Blood Donor Day – 2022 is “Donating Blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives.” Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Principal Secretary to the Govt of Assam, Shri Avinash Joshi, IAS, said, “ Most of the deaths occur due to scarcity of blood in hospitals and therefore people, especially the youngsters should come forward and donate blood voluntarily. It must be ensured at that at least no death occurs due to scarcity of blood,” adding, “Human body is the only factory which produces blood and therefore every youngster should take the pledge to donate blood at least 15 times during their lifetime.”He further lauded the armed forces for donating blood at frequent intervals and said that 50 per cent of the donated blood comes from the armed forces. While stressing on the theme on World Blood Donor Day, 2022, Director cum Member Secretary, Assam State Blood Transfusion Council (ASBTC), Shri Manas Nath said, “We cannot produce blood and voluntary blood donation is the only key for ensuring availability of blood in blood banks. He further said that in the year 2021-22, a total of 1,86,763 units of blood were collected and out of that 62 per cent were collected through voluntary blood donation. This year an effort would be made to increase voluntary blood donation to 75 per cent. Renowned actor and singer Deeplina Deka, in her address said, “We see and hear the stories of super heroes and today I realized that super heroes really exist and that too in the form of blood donors. They are really doing a great service to mankind.” Earlier, Dr Raktim Pratim Tamuli, Secretary, National Medicos Organization (NMO) in his opening address spoke on the significance of the day and said, “Every year World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on the day of the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered ABO blood groups and this day assumes significance because blood cannot be manufactured and the only way to save lives of people is through voluntary blood donation.” He further said that one person can save 12 lives in a year. A blood donation camp was also organized at the venue where apart from the armed force personnel, Principal Secretary to Govt of Assam, Health & FW Deptt, Avinash Joshi, IAS, also donated blood. A total number of 22 donors who came from different parts of the state were felicitated in the event.