Observation of World Blood Donor Day 

Observation of World Blood Donor Day 

Rongili Barta-  Along with the rest of the world, Assam State Blood Transfusion Council (ASBTC) observed World Blood Donor Day on June 14, 2024 at Sri Sri Madhabdeva International Auditorium, Kalakshetra, Guwahati. The slogan of World Blood Donor Day 2024 is “20 years of celebrating giving: Thank you, blood donors!”  Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Assam, Shri Keshab Mahanta said, “The 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day is an excellent and timely opportunity to thank blood donors for saving precious lives through blood donation and this day provides us an opportunity to honour the donors who have been helping in saving lives.” He further said, “Through blood donation we have been able to help people who need blood and even we help the patients of the private hospitals to get blood,” adding, “ There are 83 blood banks in Assam and 7 more blood banks will be established soon.” He also thanked the uniformed personnel who have been donating blood and also helping in conducting voluntary blood donation camps. “Blood  donation should be a mass movement,” he concluded. Speaking on the occasion as a celebrity guest , actor Kopil Bora said, “I would like to congratulate each and every blood donor who have been felicitated here for donating blood which is life giving and life saving and I hope that the blood donation movement continues for saving the precious lives of people.”  Commissioner & Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Health & FW Deptt, Shri Ashok Babu, IAS, in his welcome speech spoke on the significance of the World Blood Donor Day and also expressed his gratitude to all individuals who have donated the life saving gift of blood to the needed persons as and when required. Director of ASBTC Dr Indranoshee Das, Director of Family Welfare Kamaljit Talukdar and Director of Health  Services Dr Umesh Phaugcho and Dr Dipankar Baruah, Officer in-charge Blood Centre, GMCH were present in the gathering.  A total of 31 blood donors were felicitated during the event. Gyan Chand Jain who donated blood 113 times was also felicitated. A voluntary blood donation camp was also organized at the venue where 54 donors donated blood.