Motivating others on the way to the blood bank, the students, all of them in high spirits, exclaimed their happiness and said they were upbeat about their participation for a cause which will eventually prove life-saving for the patients, who require blood in emergency.

Punjab is said to have one of lowest ranks when it comes to voluntary blood donations. The experts say the state has the second lowest figures in the country as only 15 to 20 per cent of the overall blood donated in the state accounts for voluntarily donated blood.

In the absence of a smooth supply of blood coming from the volunteers, the hospitals meet their daily requirement of blood through replacement donors, who are generally the relatives of patients.

“People are just not aware enough that it is so easy to donate blood, otherwise many people could come forward to donate blood voluntarily. But there are not many people who are interested in doing the running around in order to convince people to donate blood,” said Prashant Matai, a student of MBBS final year at CMCH ,who motivated his friends and classmates to donate blood.

“The response was better than expected and even girl students came forward when I motivated them,” said Prashant.

World Blood Donors’ Day observed at DMCH
To commemorate the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, Department of Transfusion Medicine of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC&H), held a function to mark the World Blood Donor Day, which is celebrated world-wide on June 14.

The function marked the honouring of more than 60 organisations and individuals from all across the state for their overwhelming support and contribution towards voluntary blood donation, conveying a message to make voluntary blood donation a mass movement.

Dr Amarjit Kaur-Professor and Head-Department of Transfusion Medicine enlightened the audiences about the history of Karl Landsteiner. She said that “The great man discovered ABO and Rh group namely A, B, O, AB in 1901 and for this discovery Landsteiner was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930”. She added that Landsteiner also discovered that blood clumping was an immunological reaction and necessary for a successful blood transfusion. “ABO and RH blood groups must be compatible between the donor’s blood and the patient’s blood,” she said.

The Chief Guest on the occasion was Secretary of the DMCH Managing Society, Prem Kumar Gupta, and Guest of Honour was Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, DMCH.

Dr Daljit Singh gave a welcome address and stressed the need to promote the noble cause of voluntary blood donation. He emphasised that people must understand the importance of blood donation and come forward voluntarily to prevent blood shortages. Among those who were present on the occasion were Dr GS Wander, Chief Cardiologist, HDHI, Dr J Whig, Vice-Principal, and Medical Superintendents Dr Sandeep Puri, Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina and Dr BS Shah.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr J Whig emphasised on the safety of blood which could be achieved through proper screening. Dr GS Wander focused on newer techniques in blood and blood components. Dr BS Shah stressed on the need to make voluntary blood donation a mass moment.

Among the doctors, the most prestigious blood donor was Dr Sandeep Puri, who has been donating blood almost every three months and has donated blood more than 75 times since 1982. The function ended with a vote of thanks by Dr Rajoo Singh Chinna.