Mega Voluntary Blood Donation Drive “Raktadaan Amrit Mahotsav”
Rongili Barta- In order to achieve 100 per cent voluntary blood donation, a mega voluntary blood donation drive ‘Raktadaan Amrit Mahotsav’ has been initiated by the Govt of India all over the country from September 17 and which would culminate on October 1, 2022 on National Voluntary Blood Donation Day. Assam, along with the rest of the country, initiated Mega Voluntary Blood Donation Drive ‘Raktadaan Amrit Mahotsav’ under the aegis of Assam State Blood Transfusion Council (ASBTC) and Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) and organized more than 100 voluntary blood donation camps throughout the state. The voluntary blood donation camps were organized by Blood Centres of Government, public and private sectors, voluntary organizations and NGOs in different districts of the state. A total of 4004 donors were registered out of which 3274 eligible donors donated blood. Almost all the Govt Blood Centres including private and public sector blood banks were involved in this mega voluntary blood donation drive. They were supported by various organizations like Akhil Bharatiya Terapanth Yubak Parishad, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Seva Hi Sangathan, Maruwari Yuva Manch, Red Cross Society, CRPF and others. On the occasion of Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav, a voluntary blood donation camp was also organized at Raj Bhavan by Akhil Bharatiya Terapanth Yuvak Parishad , where hon’ble Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi graced the occasion and encouraged the donors to donate blood. In a voluntary blood donation camp organized by 34BN CRPF, Nagaon in collaboration of with BP Civil Hospital, Nagaon, Assam, Honb’ble Minister for Health & FW, Assam, Shri Keshab Mahanta graced the camp and encouraged the gathering to come forward and make the Mega Voluntary Blood Donation Drive a success. Director, Assam State Blood Transfusion Council, Pomi Baruah, ACS, attended various blood donation camps in Guwahati and encouraged the organizers and the donors to donate blood. Amongst the Blood Centres, Blood Centre of GMCH collected 356 units of blood. The blood camp that was conducted at Terapanth Bhawan Haiborgaon, Nagaon recorded 180 donors out of 202 registrations. This was followed by the blood donation camp at Terapanth Dharam Sthal Guwahati where out of total of 213 registrations, 152 eligible donors donated blood. At Shree Jain Terapanthi Sabha, Bhagwaan Mahavir Marg Barpeta Road Barpeta out of 163 registrations, 150 units of blood was collected. In Nagaon district a total of 257 eligible donors donated blood. In Barpeta district 170 units of blood were collected in different camps. In Jain Bhawan Silchar at total of 112 units of blood were collected out of 121 registrations. In order to make this Mega Voluntary Blood Donation Drive a success, various publicity drives have been conducted by Assam State Blood Transfusion Council (ASBTC) and Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) through print, electronic and social media. Mime shows on voluntary blood donation were organized in prime areas of city to encourage people to come forward and donate blood. On September 18, 2022 mega voluntary blood donation camps were also organized at different parts of the state with support from Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in the districts of Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nagaon, Silchar, Tinsukia, Goalpara etc.