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.

... contd.