Dr Antoly Suu, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Zunheboto, along with others at the programme on June 14. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | June 14
World Blood Donor Day was observed at Khonheche Café, Zunheboto on June 14. The event was organised by District Integrated Strategy for HIV and AIDS (DISHA), Zunheboto, in collaboration with Green Club Zunheboto, and sponsored by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society. The theme for this year’s event was ‘give blood, give hope, together we save lives.’
Dr Antoly Suu, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Zunheboto, graced the event as the guest speaker. In her address, she emphasised the importance of the day, saying, “We observe this day to honour and recognize blood donors and to raise awareness. Everyone needs blood, and it cannot be bought from the market.”
“Blood is something that cannot be manufactured, no matter how advanced our technologies are. It must come from a willing donor,” she added.
Dr Suu further said that individuals aged between 18 to 65 years, with a minimum body weight of 45 kilograms, are eligible to donate blood. “The human body contains around 4-5 liters of blood, and the amount donated is naturally replenished within about three months,” she said.
She also noted that regular blood donors tend to be healthy and are generally free from serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Dr Suu commended organizations like the Green Club for their consistent efforts in organizing blood donation drives and saving countless lives across the district.
Encouraging everyone to become donors, she stated, “We never know when we might need blood. It is a noble act that benefits both the giver and the receiver.” However, she also cautioned that women who are menstruating, pregnant, or breastfeeding are generally advised against donating blood.
Tavinto K Sumi, President of Green Club Zunheboto, chaired the programme and shared his personal experience as a donor, stating that he has donated blood over 40 times. Urging others to join the cause, he remarked, “We may also need blood one day. Our donors never take money from patients. In fact, we provide pick-up and drop facilities for them and offer complimentary coffee at my café as a small gesture of appreciation.”
He also expressed disappointment over the lack of support from the church, saying, “The church has failed miserably in supporting this cause. This is a social issue, and their silence is hypocritical.” He emphasized that the Zunheboto District Blood Donors Association currently has very few active members and stressed the need to revive it. “The Green Club will continue its commitment by actively participating in the association,” he added.
Sumi mentioned that in cases involving young donors aged 18–19, the club always seeks parental consent before proceeding.
Earlier, Visheli Sumi from ART DH Zunheboto invoked blessings through a prayer, and the event concluded with an interactive session among participants. A total of five Blood donors were registered during the programme.
