Temjenkaba
DIPR feature
Nothing is comparable to the preciousness of human blood which is the most vital component of human beings. Every different product can be manufactured in manmade factory through the advancement of science and technology but blood is the only thing which can’t be produced anywhere. It is only inside the human body where blood can be produced. Hence for those requiring blood for saving life, blood sharing is the only means to save a life. This is the greatest gift one can do for mankind. If someone really loves oneself and other fellow beings, the only way to show our care and concern is to donate blood which means giving life to someone and it is believed that voluntary blood donors command the highest respect for their sacrifices.
In our state, to increase voluntary blood donation, initiatives have been made by some likeminded donors who have come together to form Voluntary Blood Donors Association (VBDAK). The VBDAK was formed in 2011 with an intended vision to save life and with action oriented approach so as to help the people who need blood. Many of the members have donated five to six times and the highest is seventeen.
We think for our future by making various plans but we never know what will happen in the very next minute. Many patients are dying in various hospitals due to shortage of blood while doing operation or in accident cases some people may survive because of the donors through friends or family members but what about the others who don’t have. As a donor when we see the recipient alive we get a sense of satisfaction which we cannot express in words. In a way, blood donors are savers and it is one of the noblest jobs you and I can do for saving a life.
The VBDAK experienced a case where a child suffering from diseases and body disorders that need operation but the child needed to attain 12 years of age as per the guidelines prescribed by doctors but the child needed three to four units of blood every month. Fortunately, the child’s father came in contact with some members of VBDAK and the Association tried its best to save the child’s life by organizing various blood donating camps and after attaining the required age the operation was successfully done and the child is now leading a very healthy life. It may be added that blood collected from the donors can be stored only for 45 days in the blood bank thereby the association takes the initiative to maintain ‘line donor’ and many people voluntarily come forward. It is the result of such activities that there is a significant increase in voluntary blood donation across the state. However, this momentum needs to be maintained with the active support from the general mass.
Safe blood transfusion comes under the legal protection as it is life saving and also fatal. Article 21 under part 111 of Indian Constitution spells out that no person shall be deprived of his life. The Consumer Protection Act of 1986 also covers blood as a commodity and transfusion. The Criteria for blood donors as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 states that in order to donate blood the person should be between 18 to 65 years, Body weight 45 kg and above, Pulse rate 60 to 100 per minute and regular Blood Pressure Systolic 100 to l80mm of mercury, Diastolic 50 to 100m of mercury, Haemoglobin minimum 12.5gm/100ml of blood and Oral temperature should not exceed 37.50C.
Though blood transfusion has saved many lives, this vital fluid also carries the risks of various transmitting diseases. Therefore, it is mandatory to test every unit of blood collected for the presence or absence of five disease markers (Transfusion transmitted infections), i.e., Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C, syphilis and malaria to give the safest blood to the needy patients. It is globally accepted that the best source of blood for transfusion is from voluntary donations and preferably from repeated voluntary donors as blood from voluntary donations are the safest.
As a rule, if a patient needs blood transfusion, a replacement donor from his family or friends can donate. But there are some conditions where blood transfusion is required off and on, sometimes more than 100 units to a particular patient. Then how can the family or friends can bring all the required number of replacement donors as such it gives rise to involvement of professional or paid donors disguised as replacement donors. So it is high time, for every section of society in our state to come together and join hands so as to formulate strategies to achieve 100% voluntary blood donation, so that any patient who needs blood transfusion can get the required blood units from the blood bank centers. But it is not a magic figure to achieve 100% voluntary donation in our state. If 1% of our state’s population donate blood once a year then the blood requirement in our state can be taken care of. The State Blood Transfusion Council which is under the National Blood Transfusion Council is playing an active role to achieve the target.
Inspite of the mass awareness on HIV and AIDS, the general community in Nagaland is still ignorant about the importance of voluntary blood donation and safe blood transfusion. Many people still continue to acquire blood from professional blood donors which leads to the spread of HIV and AIDS in the state. Thus, the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day is planned to strengthen and expand safe voluntary blood donation programmes and to reinforce local campaigns by mass based awareness from different platforms like colleges, NGOs, Red Cross, churches etc. The celebration of the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day is an occasion to thank all voluntary blood donors and to acknowledge and recognize the unsung heroes, whose selfless deeds save lives every day through their blood donations and improve the health of the people whom they will never meet.
The main goals and objectives of the Voluntary Blood Donor Association are:
• To motivate people to donate blood voluntarily
• To make people aware of the Safe Blood Transfusion
• To conduct blood donation camps throughout the year for Government Blood Banks
• To organize training programmes for blood donor motivators
• To recruit new donor and create donors of tomorrow through motivational programs in schools, campuses and youth groups
• To publish posters, booklets to promote voluntary blood donation
• To help the government and other regulatory bodies to frame policy/ rules/ regulations in relation to voluntary blood donation
• To propagate the message of optimum utilization of blood amongst the blood users
• To create an atmosphere to make blood available to all in the state collected from non-remunerated voluntary blood donors.
• To co-ordinate and facilitate the relationships between voluntary blood donors and blood donor organization thus promoting Blood Program in Nagaland.
• To create public awareness and disseminate information on voluntary blood donation and safe blood.
The VBDAK is purely a voluntary organization and any person who wants to join the organization can contact Press secretary (VBDAK) on Mobile number, 9436062823 and 9612929134 or send your mail to: temjenlongkumer@yahoo.com.
